Methods of detecting multi-drug resistant organisms

ABSTRACT

The present invention provide methods using genes associated with multi-drug resistance for rapidly detecting a patient colonized or infected with an multi-drug resistant organism and administrating the appropriate precautions and/or treatment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/657,908, filed Mar. 13, 2015, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/952,795, filed Mar. 13, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/116,860, filed Feb. 16, 2015, the contents of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Aug. 6, 2018, is named OPGN-014_C01US_ST25.txt and is 71,031 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, relates generally to the identification and characterization of genes and gene families associated with multi-gene resistance in biological samples in the screening, diagnosis, therapy, epidemiological surveillance, and monitoring of multi-gene resistant colonization and infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are associated with poor clinical outcomes including increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs among infected patients. Colonized patients are an important reservoir of beta-lactamases leading to the transmission and spread of these organisms within hospitals and long term care facilities. The prevalence of these organisms in such facilities in the United States has steadily increased over the last 30 years. Treatment options for patients with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) are extremely limited; therefore prevention of transmission within these facilities is paramount. Classical culture methods for detection of MDROs are time consuming (48-72 hours), leading to delays, inappropriate treatment and patient isolation. Highly sensitive, rapid molecular methods for detection of MDROs provide a tool for surveillance and screening of high risk patients and better patient management. The present invention addresses this market need.

Accordingly, a need exists for a rapid method that accurately differentiates between bacterial, viral, mixed and non-infectious disease patients that addresses these challenges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based upon an ultra-sensitive method for detecting multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection in a subject. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the rapid detection and characterization of MDROs, bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, and molecular, phenotypic, and host biomarkers associated with infectious diseases, through high density matrix gene testing in order to provide the most comprehensive, high resolution profile of colonization, infection, and resistance pattern in a test sample. In various aspects the method includes isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient by amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; classifying the patient as having a multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection when one or more of the antibiotic resistant genes are identified in the enriched nucleic acid sample; and providing a contact precautions recommendation for the patient having a multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection. Optionally, the antibiotic resistant genes further include one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.

Optionally, the method further includes making a treatment recommendation for the patient. Treatment recommendation include recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, SME, SPC, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected; recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, or SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K, is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected; or recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.

In some aspects the method further includes testing the biological sample to identify the phenotype of the multi-drug resistant organism and/or culturing the biological sample and confirming drug resistance.

In other aspects the invention includes methods of making a treatment recommendation for a subject known to or suspected of being colonized with or having a bacterial infection isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient by amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, SFC, IMP, SME, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected; recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, or SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K, is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected; or recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.

In yet a further aspect the invention includes methods of making a treatment recommendation for a heathy subject by isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient; amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample and recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, SFC, IMP, SME, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected; recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO. TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, or SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K, is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected; or recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.

The invention further includes methods of identifying the emergence of a multi-drug resistant organism in a population of subjects identifying one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE in a plurality of subject samples wherein identification of an antibiotic resistant genes in the plurality of subject samples indicates the emergence of a multi-drug resistant organism in a population.

In another aspect the invention provides methods of screening a patient for multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection by isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient such that the sample is substantially free of protein, cellular debris and or PCR inhibitors and identifying one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE in the sample wherein identification of an antibiotic resistant genes indicates the subject is colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacterial organism.

In a further aspect the invention provides surveillance methods to establish source of the infection or colonization, comprising by extracting a nucleic acid sample from a sample collected from the environment; amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; wherein the presence of the antibiotic gene in the sample indicates the source of the infection or colonization.

The patient is at high risk for having a multi-drug resistant bacteria colonization or infection.

Contact precautions includes for example, isolating the patient to a quarantine area or ward, providing a private room for said patient, donning personal protective apparel upon entering the patient's room, limiting patient mobility, limiting or restricting access of non-colonized or non-infected patients or medical personnel to the patient, or providing dedicated patient care equipment.

Biological samples, include but are not limited to an anal swab, a rectal swab, a skin swab, nasal swab, wound swab, stool, blood, plasma, serum, urine, sputum, respiratory lavage, cerebrospinal fluid, bacteria culture or bacteria isolate, fungal culture or fungal isolate, virus culture or virus isolate.

The invention also provides kits for determining whether a patient is colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacteria including a biological sample collection means; one or more primers that specifically hybridize with one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE; a control sample; and an instruction, wherein the instruction classifies the patient as being colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacteria when one or more of the antibiotic resistant genes are identified in the sample.

In various aspect the invention provides method for implementation by one or more data processors forming part of at least one computing system by receiving, by at least one data processor, data characterizing test results of biological specimens for a patient or group of patients, wherein the test results characterize an outcome of a nucleic acid sample contacted with one or more primers that specifically hybridize with one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA and optionally one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE; and generating, using at least one data processor and the received data, a database of test results for the patient or group of patients.

In further aspects the method further includes aggregating the database of test results with additional individual patient health data, patient group demographic data, healthcare institution demographic data, regional, national, or global geographic healthcare data.

The method further includes establishing, using the database of test results, colonization or infection rates and trends.

Optionally, the method further includes monitoring, using the database of test results, Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) and death rates, CRE infection or death rates, ESBL infection or death rates.

Optionally, the method further includes establishing or augmenting, using the database of test results, treatment guidelines and policies, infection control procedures, or healthcare economic and risk management policies.

In yet a further aspect the method further includes computing, using the database of test results, baseline MDRO infection rates for a hospital and measuring the rate against a regional or national rate.

In other aspect the method further includes comprising augmenting treatment procedures, using the database of test results, to lower patient Length of Stay (LOS) in a healthcare institution, to lower overall costs, to lower patient death rates due to MDRO, to lower CMS penalties for HAIs, and to lower risk of legal settlements due to wrongful death claims.

The database of test results further includes an Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Computer program products are also described that comprise non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions, which when executed by at least one data processors of one or more computing systems, causes at least one data processor to perform operations herein. Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one or more data processors and a memory coupled to the one or more data processors. The memory may temporarily or permanently store instructions that cause at least one processor to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In addition, methods can be implemented by one or more data processors either within a single computing system or distributed among two or more computing system.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. In cases of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples described herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from and encompassed by the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing that the assay of the invention is capable of presumptively stratifying bacterial species based upon test results.

FIG. 2 is an chart showing the limits of detection (CFU/swab) of the methods of the invention

FIG. 3 is a chart showing the specificity of the methods of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a chart showing the reproducibility of the methods of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a summary of genes and gene families used in the Resistome Test.

FIG. 6 illustrates the Resistome Test used as a first-line screen for establishing resistance profiles in combination with DNA sequencing for high resolution strain typing.

FIG. 7 illustrates the utility of the Resistome Test used in combination with DNA sequencing data to establish gene transmission profiles and events.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of using the Resistome Test for reporting and mapping individual patient anatomical and point-source environmental data.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of using the Resistome Test for reporting and mapping multiple patient data across a hospital setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for the rapid detection of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). The methods are useful in the detection of subjects that are colonized or infected with MDROs. Detection of MDRO colonized or infected subjects aid in infection control and the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy.

The methods of the invention detects a broad number of genes that make up the “resistome” of organisms or the collection of antibiotic resistance in pathogeneic and non-pathogenic bacteria (FIG. 5). The methods of the invention detect beta-lactamase genes found in beta-lactam antibiotic resistant gram negative bacteria and vanomycin resistant genes found in vancomyocin resistant gram positive bacteria. More specifically the methods detect Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) Verona integron-encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), IMP-type carbapenemase (IMP), OXA beta-lactamase (OXA) genes found in carbapenem resistant gram negative bacteria, CTX-M beta-lactamase (CTX-M) gene found in extended spectrum resistant gram-negative bacteria, VanA found in vancomycin resistant Enterococcus, IMI-type carbapenemase (IMI), SME-type carbapenemase (SME), GIM-type carbapenemase (GIM), SPM-type carbapenemase (SPM), NMC-type carbapenemase (NMC), SFC-type carbapenemase (SFC) genes found in carbapenem resistant gram negative bacteria, SHV beta-lactamase (SHV), TEM beta-lactamase (TEM), BEL beta-lactamase (BEL), VEB beta-lactamase (VEB), GES beta-lactamase (GES), PER beta-lactamase (PER), SFO beta-lactamase (SFO), BES beta-lactamase (BES), TLA beta-lactamase (TLA) genes found in extended spectrum resistant gram-negative bacteria, ACC beta-lactamase (ACC), CMY beta-lactamase (CMY), MIR beta-lactamase (MIR), ACT beta-lactamase (ACT), DHA beta-lactamase (DHA), MOX beta-lactamase (MOX), FOX beta-lactamase (FOX), or CFE beta-lactamase (CFE) genes found in AmpC-type extended spectrum resistant gram-negative bacteria. The genes detected that confer multi-gene resistance are referred to herein as “MDRO-associated genes” or “resistome genes”. In addition the resistome genes can also include genes encoding efflux pumps and porins.

In addition the methods of the invention can further include the detection of numerous infectious disease organisms of biomarkers in combination with the MDRO-associated genes. For example, in some aspects Clostridium difficile, norovirus or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are detected.

The methods of the invention can include the detection and characterization of resistome genes and resistome gene patterns in biological samples as a first-line typing screen for subsequent higher discrimination molecular typing methods downstream for example DNA whole Genome Sequencing as part of a comprehensive solution for high resolution strain typing and mapping gene transmission events. (FIGS. 6 and 7)

KPC (K. pneumoniae Carbapenemase) (Class A)

A few class A enzymes, most noted the plasmid-mediated KPC enzymes, are effective carbapenemases as well. Ten variants, KPC-2 through KPC-11 are known, and they are distinguished by one or two amino acid substitutions (KPC-1 was re-sequenced in 2008 and found to be 100% homologous to published sequences of KPC-2). KPC-1 was found in North Carolina, KPC-2 in Baltimore and KPC-3 in New York. They have only 45% homology with SME and NMC/IMI enzymes and, unlike them, can be encoded by self-transmissible plasmids.

The class A Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is currently the most common carbapenemase, which was first detected in North Carolina, US, in 1996 and has since spread worldwide. A later publication indicated that Enterobacteriaceae that produce KPC were becoming common in the United States.

KPC-2

Chromosomal and plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum β-lactamases (carbapanemases), identified in Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas putida and Citrobacter freundii worldwide. Divided into 16 subtypes i.e. KPC-1 to KPC-16. Hydrolyzes β-lactams from the penicillin (i.e. ampicillin, piperacillin, benzylpenicillin, and cloxacillin), cephalosporin (i.e. cefotaxime and ceftazidime, cephaloridine), carbapenem (i.e. iminipenen, meropenem, etrapenem, doripenem), and monobactam (i.e. aztreonam) groups at different rates. Hydrolyze oxyminio-cephalosporins more efficiently than other carbapenemases. Weakly Inhibited by clavuanic acid and tazobactam.

NDM (New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase) (Class B)

Originally described from New Delhi in 2009, this gene is now widespread in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from India and Pakistan. As of mid-2010, NDM carrying bacteria have been introduced to other countries (including the United States and UK), most probably due to the large number of tourists travelling the globe, who may have picked up the strain from the environment, as strains containing the NDM gene have been found in environmental samples in India Ten subtypes have been reported for NDM; NDM-1 to NDM-10.

NDM-1

Highly mobile plasmid-encoded Metallo-β-lactamases (carbapanemases), carried in Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Acitenobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa among other Enterobacteracea species worldwide. Produces up to 9 different types of β-lactamases. Shares little identity with other MBLs (i.e. VIM1/-2). Difficult to eliminate in clinical situations because hydrolyzes almost all β-lactams except for aztreonam, with no efficient inhibitor.

VIM (Verona Integron-Encoded Metallo-β-Lactamase) (Class B)

A second growing family of carbapenemases, the VIM family, was reported from Italy in 1999 and now includes 40 members, which have a wide geographic distribution in Europe, South America, and the Far East and have been found in the United States. VIM-1 was discovered in P. aeruginosa in Italy in 1996; since then, VIM-2—now the predominant variant—was found repeatedly in Europe and the Far East; VIM-3 and -4 are minor variants of VIM-2 and -1, respectively. VIM enzymes occur mostly in P. aeruginosa, also P. putida and, very rarely, Enterobacteriaceae. Forty gene subtypes have been reported for

Amino acid sequence diversity is up to 10% in the VIM family, 15% in the IMP family, and 70% between VIM and IMP. Enzymes of both the families, nevertheless, are similar. Both are integron-associated, sometimes within plasmids. Both hydrolyse all β-lactams except monobactams, and evade all β-lactam inhibitors.

VIM-1

Highly mobile plasmid-borne integron/transposon metallo-β-lactamases, carried in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. putida, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii clinical strains in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Multiple variants are found in the VIM-1, VIM-2 types. VIM-1, VIM-2 and VIM-13 share high homology. VIM-7 is distantly related to the other VIM-like metallo-β-lactamases, except for VIM-1 and VIM-2. Hydrolyzes a series of β-lactams i.e piperacillin, ceftazidime, imipenem, and aztreonam (except for VIM-2 and VIM-7 and VIM-13) at different rates. No efficient inhibitor is available.

VIM-5

Highly mobile plasmid-borne integron metallo-β-lactamases, carried in Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains in Europe. The highest identity is shared with VIM-1 and VIM-2. Hydrolyzes imipenem, meropenem, aztreonam, ceftazidime, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, amikacin and gentamicin. No efficient inhibitor is available.

Forty gene subtypes have been reported for VIM, these include VIM1-VIM40

IMP-Type Carbapenemases (Metallo-β-Lactamases) (Class B)

Plasmid-mediated IMP-type carbapenemases, 48 varieties (IMP 1-IMP48) of which are currently known, became established in Japan in the 1990s both in enteric Gram-negative organisms and in Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species. IMP enzymes spread slowly to other countries in the Far East, were reported from Europe in 1997, and have been found in Canada and Brazil.

IMP-1/IMP-2

Chromosomal and plasmid-borne integron Metallo-β-lactamases (carbapanemase), identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, Serratia marcescens, Acitenobacter baumannii, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, E. aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri and Shigella flexneri in Asia, North and South America, and Europe. Multiple variants are found in the IMP-1- and IMP-2-types. Hydrolyzes carbapenems (including imipenen and meropenem), penicillims, monobactams, fluroquinones (i.e. ciprofloxacin), cephalosporins (i.e. cephalorodin, cefoxitin, cefepime) and aminoglycosides (i.e amikacin) at different rates. No efficient inhibitor is available.

IMP-5

Highly mobile plasmid-encoded metallo-β-lactamases carried in Acinetobacater baumanni clinical strains in Europe. Shows greater homology with IMP-1, IMP-3 and IMP-4 than with IMP-2. Hydrolyzes penicillins, broad-spectrum cephalosporins, including ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cefpirome, and to aztreonam, but not ampicillin/sulbactam, aminoglycosides and quinolone.

OXA Beta-Lactamases (Class D)

OXA beta-lactamases were long recognized as a less common but also plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase variety that could hydrolyze oxacillin and related anti-staphylococcal penicillins. These beta-lactamases differ from the TEM and SHV enzymes in that they belong to molecular class D and functional group 2d. The OXA-type beta-lactamases confer resistance to ampicillin and cephalothin and are characterized by their high hydrolytic activity against oxacillin and cloxacillin and the fact that they are poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid. Amino acid substitutions in OXA enzymes can also give the ESBL phenotype. While most ESBLs have been found in E. coli, K pneumoniae, and other Enterobacteriaceae, the OXA-type ESBLs have been found in P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter buamannii. OXA-type ESBLs have been found mainly in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Turkey and France. The OXA beta-lactamase family was originally created as a phenotypic rather than a genotypic group for a few beta-lactamases that had a specific hydrolysis profile. Therefore, there is as little as 20% sequence homology among some of the members of this family. However, recent additions to this family show some degree of homology to one or more of the existing members of the OXA beta-lactamase family. Some confer resistance predominantly to ceftazidime, but OXA-17 confers greater resistance to cefotaxime and cefepime than it does resistance to ceftazidime.

OXA-2

Plasmid encoded oxacillinase family (i.e. OXA-2, OXA-15 and OXA-32), identified in Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Europe. Hydrolyzes benzylpenicillin, penicillim, ampicillim, oxacillim, cephaloridine, cephalothin, and ceftazidime (hydrolysis rates varies within the family members). Well-inhibited by azobactam, but weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid.

OXA-10

Plasmid-encoded oxacillinase family (i.e. OXA-14, OXA-16, and OXA-17), identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Europe. Hydrolyzes penicillim, ampicillim, cabenicillim, cloaxicillim, oxacillim, and cephaloridine, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone among others (hydrolysis rates varies within the family members).

OXA-18

Chromosomal-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Europe. Shares weak identity with all class D β-lactamase except OXA-9 and OXA-12. Hydrolyzes amoxicillin, ticarcillin, cephalothin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and aztreonam, but not imipenem or cephamycins.

OXA-23

Chromosomal and Plasmid-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Acinobacter bumannii, Acinetobacter junii, A. radioresistens, Proteus mirabilis clinical isolates in Europe, Australia, Asia, North and South America. Closely related to OXA-27. Hydrolyzes ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, gentamicin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and to a lesser extend amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem and meropenem.

OXA-24

Chromosomal-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Acinobacter bumannii in clinical isolates in Europe. Shows distant homology with OXA-10, OXA-7, and OXA-11. Hydrolyzes benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, cephaloridine, tircarcilin, imipenem and meropenem, but lack activity against oxacillin, cloxacillin and methicillim. Inhibitied by NaCl, tazobactam, sulbactam and clavulanic acid.

OXA-45

Plasmid-encoded oxacillinase, carried in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains in North America. Shares some enzyme homology with OXA-18, OXA-9, OXA-22, OXA-12 and OXA-29. Hydrolyzes ceftazidime, aztreonam (high levels), and cefotaxime (low level). Inhibited by NaCl, imipenem, and clavulanic acid.

OXA-48

Plasmid-encoded oxacillinase, carried in Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains in Turkey. Remotely related to other oxacillinases. Hydrolyzes carbapenems at a level much higher than other oxacillinases as well as penicillims and imipenes, but not expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. Well-inhibited by NaCL and weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam.

OXA-50

Chromosomal-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains in Europe. Hydrolyzes ampicillim, benzylpenicillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, nitrocefin, piperacillin, and iminipen to low levels, but not oxackillin or cloxacillin. Hydrolyzes ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, nitrocefin, piperacillin and imipenem (low level).

OXA-51

Chromosomal-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinobacter bumannii isolates in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Hydrolyzes imipenem, cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, aztreonam, ciprofloxacin and amikacin.

OXA-54

Chromosomal-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Shewanella oneidensis strains in Europe. Shares high homology with OXA-48. Hydrolyzes imipenen (significantly high), penicillins, cephalothin, cefpirome, and to a lesser extend cefuroxime, cefotaxime, meropenen and cefepime. Do not hydrolyze ceftazidime and aztreonam. Well-inhibited by NaCl, but weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam.

OXA-55

Chromosome-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Shewanella algae clinical isolates in Europe. No significant identity exists between OXA-55 and other oxacillinases. Hydrolyzes benzylpenicillim, amplicillin amoxicillin, ticarcillin, peperacillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, cephalothin, cephaloridine, cepirone, and iminipen and meropen (low levels). Inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam.

OXA-58

Plasmid-encoded oxacillinase, carried in Acinobacter baumannii, Acinobacter junii and Acinobacter spp. clinical isolates in North South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Weakly related to other oxacillinase genes. Hydrolyzes penicillins, oxacillin, and imipenem (low levels), but not ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and cefepime. Weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam.

OXA-60

Chromosome-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Ralstonia pickettii strains in Europe. Shows a greater homology with OXA-50 than other oxacillinases. Hydrolyzes benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin, nitrocefin, oxacillin, cloxacillin. Well-inhibited by NaCl, but weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid, and tazobactam.

OXA-62

Chromosome-encoded oxacillinase, identified in Pandoraea pnomenusa clinical strains. Shows a greater homology with OXA-50 than other oxacillinases. Hydrolyzes penicillins, oxacillin, imipenem, and meropenem, but not expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. Well-inhibited by NaCl, but weakly inhibited by clavulanic acid, and tazobactam.

CTX-M Beta-Lactamases (Class A)

CTX-M

Chromosomal and plasmid-encoded extended-spectrum β-lactamases, identified mostly in Escherichia coli clinical strains worldwide. Divided into 5 phylogenetic groups based on aminoacid identity i.e. CTX-M-1 group (including 41 members), the CTX-M-2 group (including 15 members), the CTX-M-8 group (including more than 3 members), the CTX-M-9 group (including 43 members), and the CTX-M-25 group (with more than 4 members). Closer related to the β-lactamases of Kluyvera spp. Hydrolyzes cefotaxime and ceftazidime at high rates, but several enzymes, such as CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-19, also hydrolyze ceftazidime efficiently which may complicate the phenotypic identification of CTX-Ms. More than 80 CTX-M enzymes are currently known.

Van-A

Six different types of vancomycin resistance are shown by enterococcus: Van-A, Van-B, Van-C, Van-D, Van-E and Van-F. Of these, only Van-A, Van-B and Van-C have been seen in general clinical practice, so far. The significance is that Van-AVRE is resistant to both vancomycin and teicoplanin. The mechanism of resistance to vancomycin found in enterococcus involves the alteration to the terminal amino acid residues of the NAM/NAG-peptide subunits, under normal conditions, D-alanyl-D-alanine, to which vancomycin binds. The D-alanyl-D-lactate variation results in the loss of one hydrogen-bonding interaction (four, as opposed to five for D-alanyl-D-alanine) being possible between vancomycin and the peptide. This loss of just one point of interaction results in a 1000-fold decrease in affinity. The D-alanyl-D-serine variation causes a six-fold loss of affinity between vancomycin and the peptide, likely due to steric hindrance.

ACC-1

Plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamase (cephalosporinases), carried in Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Salmonella spp. in Europe and Africa. Shows distant amino acid sequence homology with known AmpC β-lactamases. Closely related to the chromosomally encoded AmpC-type β-lactamase of Hafnia alvei. Hydrolyzes ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, amoxicillin-clavulanate, kanamycin, tobramycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Poorly inhibited by tazobactam.

ACT-1/MIR-1

ACT-1 and MIR-1 are both plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamases (Cephamycinases), carried in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in the US. ACT-1 is highly homologous with MIR-1 and both ACT-1 and MIR-1 share high homology with the chromosomal ampC genes of Enterobacter cloacae. ACT-1 hydrolyzes cefepime and cefoxitin. MIR-1 hydrolyzes cephalothin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, cefotetan, cefmetazole, moxalactam, aztreonam, ampicillin and carbenicillin.

BEL-1

Rare chromosome-encoded β-lactamase, identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains in Belgium. Weakly related to GES-1 and BES-1. Hydrolyzes most expanded-spectrum cephalosporins at high levels (excluding cephamycins and carbapenems) and aztreonam. Well-inhibited by clavunate, cefoxitin, moxalactam and imipenen, but poorly inhibited by tazobactam.

BES-1

Rare plasmid-encoded β-lactamase, carried in a single Serratia marcescens clinical strain in Brazil. Shares some identity with the CTX-M group 1 β-lactamase. Hydrolyzes aztreonam, cefotaxime and ceftazidime (high levels). Well-inhibited by clavulanic acid, but poorly inhibited by tazobactam.

CMY-2/CFE-1

CMY-2 and CFE-1 are both plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamases (Cephamycinases), carried in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in Asia and Europe. CMY-2 is highly homologous with CFE-1 and BIL-1, and both CMY-2 and CFE-1 share high homology with CMY-3/-4, LAT-1/-3 and the chromosomal ampC genes of Citrobacter freundii. CMY-2 hydrolyzes cefoxitin, cefotetan, ceftibuten, aztreonam, and flomoxef. CFE-1 hydrolyzes cephalothin and cefpodoxime. Both CMY-2 and CFE-1 hydrolyze ceftazidime, cefotaxime, piperacillin, and cefametazole.

DHA-1

Plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamase (Cephalosporinase), carried in Salmonella enteritidis clinical isolates in Saudi Arabia. Highly homologous with the chromosome-mediated cephalosporinase of M. morganii. Hydrolyzes amoxicillim, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, ticarcillin, cephalothin, cefoxitin, cefoxatime, ceftazidime, and moxalactam, but not iminipen. Inhibited by low concentrations of aztreonam, cefoxitin, or cloxacillin and only by high concentrations of clavulanic acid.

FOX-1

Plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamase (cephalosporinases), carried in Klebsiella pneumonia in Argentina. Highly homologous with FOX-2/-3. Hydrolyzes ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, cephaloridine, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, cefotetan, and cefmetazole. Well-inhibited by cloxacillin and aztreonam, but poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid, tazobactam, and sulbactam.

GIM-1

Mobile plasmid-borne integron Metallo-β-lactamase, carried in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Germany. Shares distant homology with IMP, VIM and SPM-1 enzymes. Hydrolyzes imipenem, meropenem, ceftazidime, cefepime, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Does not hydrolyze azlocillin, aztreonam, and the serine lactamase inhibitors.

GES-1

Plasmid- and integron-encoded β-lactamase, carried in Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in France. Hydrolyzes penicillins and expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, but not cephamycins, carbapenems, and aztreonam. Inhibited by clavulanate, tazobactam and imipenem.

IMI-1/NMCA-1

IMI-1 and NMCA-1 are both chromosomal-encoded β-lactamases, identified in Enterobacter cloacae clinical isolates in North America and Europe. IMI-1 shares high homology with the NMC-A and NMC-R genes, and may be considered NMC-type β-lactamase. IMI-1 hydrolyses cefotaxime and ceftazidime less fast than NMC-A, imipenem (high levels) and benzylpenicillin (modest rates), but more slowly than cephaloridine. NMCA-1 also hydrolyzes ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefazolin, and cefoxitin. In contrast to NMCA-1, IMI-1 is inhibited more effectively by tazobactam than by clavulanic acid.

MOX-1/CMY-1

CMY-1 (Cephamycinase), and MOX-1/MOX-5 (moxalactamases) are all plasmid-mediated AmpC type β-lactamases, carried in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in Asia and Africa. CMY-1 shares high homology with MOX-1/MOX-5, and all of them are highly homologous with both FOX-1 and the chromosomal AmpC β-lactamase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CMY-1 hydrolyzes cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, Cefametazole, cefotetan, flomoxef, gentamicin, amikacin, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, piperacillin, and co-trimoxazole to a lesser extent. MOX-1/MOX-5 hydrolyzes ampicillim, cefotaxine, aztreonam, and cefotetan. CMY-1 and MOX-1/MOX-5 are inhibited by clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam.

PER-1

Plasmid-encoded β-lactamase, carried in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., A. baumannii, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Providencia rettgeri, P. stuartii and Proteus mirabilis in Europe and Asia. Shares significant homology with VEB-1 and TLA-1 enzymes, which belong to the ‘Per-like family’. Hydrolyzes penicillins, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and aztreonam, but spares carbapenems and cephamycins. Well-inhibited by clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam.

SFC-1

Chromosomal-encoded-β-lactamase, identified in Serratia fonticola strains from hospitals in Europe. Hydrolyzes penicillins, cephalosporins, aztreonam, and carbapenems and is inhibited by clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam. Less inhibited by class A β-lactamase inhibitors than other group of carbapenemases.

SIM-1

Mobile plasmid-encoded Metallo-β-lactamase, carried in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from Korea. More closely related to IMP-type enzymes than to other MBLs. Hydrolyzes a broad array of β-lactams (i.e. penicillims, cephalosporins, and carbapenems). Exhibits relatively low imipenen and meropenem MICs. Not active against taztrenoman and piperacillin.

SME-1

Chromosomal-encoded-β-lactamase, identified in Serratia marcescens and E. coli clinical strains from England and US. Hydrolyses a variety of lactams from the penicillin, cephalosporin, monobactam, and carbapenem groups.

SHV-G238/E240

Chromosomal and plasmid-encoded, narrow spectrum β-lactamase SHV-1 parental type. Possesses glycine at position 238 and glutamic acid at 240 position. Carried mainly in multiple strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Europe. Hydrolyzes a narrow-spectrum of cephalosporins, penicillims and aztreonam. Inhibited by clavulanic acid.

SHV-G238S/E240

Plasmid-encoded SHV-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation G38S (glycine at position 238 in SHV-1 is replaced by serine in SHV-2, -3, -20, -21, -30, -34, -39, -106, -141, -152, -153, -162, and -163). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens and Salmonella typhimurium in Europe, Asia and South-Africa. SHV-2 hydrolyzes cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftazidime-clavulanate, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem (high levels) and imipenem (intermediate level).

SHV-G238/E240K

Plasmid-encoded SHV-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation E240K (glutamic acid at position 240 in SHV-1 replaced by lysine in SHV-31, -91, -97, -115, and -120). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumonia clinical strains in Europe. SHV-31 hydrolyzes ceftazidime, cefotaxime, and aztreonam, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin, but not cefepime and amikacin. Inhibited by clavulanic acid.

SHV-G238S/E240K

Plasmid-encoded SHV-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring double mutation G238S and E240K (glycine at position 238 and glutamic acid at position 240 in SHV-1 is replaced by serine and lysine, respectively in SHV-4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -12, -15, -22, -23, -45, -46, -55, -64, -66, -90, -105, -123, -124, -128, -129, 134, -154, -160, -165 and -183). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli clinical strains in US, Africa and Europe. SHV-5 hydrolyzes amoxicillin, ticarcillin, piperpacillin, cephalexin, cephalothin, cefamandole, cefatzidime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, tigernoman (high levels) plus caruomonan and cefoxitin (intermediate levels). Inhibited by clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam.

SHV-G156

Chromosomal and plasmid-encoded, narrow spectrum β-lactamase SHV-1 parental type. Possesses glycine at position 156 position. Identified in multiple clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumonia in Europe. Carried mainly in multiple strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Europe. Hydrolyzes a narrow-spectrum of cephalosporins, penicillims and aztreonam. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

SHV-G156D

Plasmid-encoded SHV-type extended spectrum beta-lactamase harboring mutation G156D. Glycine at amino acid position 156 in SHV-1 replaced by aspartic acid in SHV-27, -32, -45, -93, -105, -110 and -177. Hydrolyzes amoxicillin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam and trimethoporim. Inhibited by clavuanic acid (Corkill et al, 2001). Carried by Klebsiella pneumonia in South America and Europe.

SFO-1

Rare self-transferable plasmid encoded β-lactamase, carried in a single clinical Enterobacter cloacae isolate in Japan. Hydrolyzes cefoxatime very efficiently, and spares cephamycins and carbapenems, but not cephamycins. Inhibited by clavulanic acid and imipenen.

SPM-1

Plasmid-encoded metallo-β-lactamases, carried in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains from Brazil. Represents a subfamily of mobile metallo-β-lactamase different from VIM and IMP. Hydrolyzes cloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, ampicillin, imipenem, meropenem, cefaloridine, ceftazidime and nitrocefin, and no inhibitor is clinical available.

TEM-E104

Plasmid-encoded transposable element β-lactamase TEM-1 parental type. Possesses glutamic acid at position 104. Commonly found in gram negative bacteria, mainly in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Hydrolyzes 90% of the penicillim-type antibiotics. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

TEM-E104K

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation E104K (glutamic acid at position 104 in TEM-1 replaced by lysine in TEM-3, -4, -6, -8, -9, -15, -16, -17, -18, -21, -22, -24, -26, among other 39 more TEM-type variants). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella spp. in North America, Europe and Africa. TEM-3 hydrolyzes amikacin, netilmicin, tobramycin, tetracycline, sulphonamides ampicillim and gentamycin (high levels) plus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (low level).

TEM-R164

Plasmid-encoded transposable element β-lactamase TEM-1 parental type. Possesses arginine acid at position 164. Commonly found in gram negative bacteria, mainly in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Hydrolyzes 90% of the penicillim-type antibiotics. Inhibited by clavuanic acid. Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in North America and Europe.

TEM-R16411

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation R164H (arginine acid at position 104 in TEM-1 replaced by histidine in TEM-6, -11, -16, -27, -28, -29, -43, -61, -75, -107, -109, -115, -118, -132, -134, -147, -151, -152, -161, and -187). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca in North America. TEM-115 hydrolyses ceftazidime, gentamicin and tobramycin (moderate levels). Inhibited by clavuanic acid (low level).

TEM-R164C

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation R164C (arginine acid at position 104 in TEM-1 replaced by asparatic acid in TEM-87, -91, -143, -144, -193, and -195). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis in Europe. TEM-87 hydrolyzes ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, piperacillin, cefazolin, ceftazidime, cefepime and aztreonam. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

TEM-R164S

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation R164S (arginine acid at position 104 in TEM-1 replaced by serine in i.e. TEM-5, -7, -8, -9, -10, -12, -24, -26, -46, -53, -60, -85, -86, -102, -114, -121, -125, -129, -130, -131, -133, -136, -137, -149, -154, - 155, -158, -165, -177, -184, and -205). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter freundii clinical isolates in Europe. TEM-7 hydrolyzes ampicillin, piperacillin, ceftazidime and aztreonam but not other third-generation cephalosporins. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

TEM-G238/E240

Plasmid-encoded transposable element β-lactamase TEM-1 parental type. Possesses glycine at position 238 and glutamic acid at 240 position. Commonly found in gram negative bacteria, mainly in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Hydrolyzes 90% of the penicillim-type antibiotics. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

TEM-G238/E240K

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation E240K (glutamic acid at position 240 in TEM-1 replaced by lysine in TEM-5, -10, -24, -27, -28, -46, -61, -85, -86, -91, -114, -121, -136, -144, -152, -155, -177, and -191). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae in the US. TEM-10 hydrolyzes cephaloridine, benzylpenicillim, amipicillim, piperacillin, ceftazidime, and aztreonam. Inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate.

TEM-G238S/E240

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring mutation G38S □glycine at position 238 in TEM-1 is replaced by serine in TEM-3, -4, -8, -15, -19, -20, -21, -22, -25, -50, -52, -66, -88, -89, -92, -94, -107, -112, -113, -120, -123, -134, -138, -139, -167, -197, -199, and -211). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Asia. TEM-19-20, and -52 hydrolyzes ampicillin, cephalothin, ceftazidime, and aztreonam, and cefotaxime.

TEM-G238S/E240K

Plasmid-encoded TEM-type extended spectrum β-lactamase harboring double mutation G238S and E240K (glycine at position 238 and glutamic acid at position 240 in TEM-1 is replaced by serine and lysine, respectively in TEM-42, -47, -48, -49, -68, -71, -72, -93, -101, and -188). Carried mainly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Europe. TEM-42 hydrolyzes penicillim, cephaloridine, and cefotaxime. Inhibited by clavuanic acid.

TLA-1

Rare self-transferable plasmid encoded β-lactamase, carried in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates in a single Indian tribe in Mexico. Shares significant homology with VEB-1 and PER-1 enzymes. Hydrolyzes expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, including cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam and cefepime, but not imipenem and cefoxitin. Strongly inhibited by tazobactam, and to a lesser extent, by clavulanic acid and sulbactam.

VEB-1

Plasmid- and integron-encoded β-lactamase, carried in clinical strains in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. stuartii Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, Providencia stuartii, Enterobacter cloacae and A. xylosoxidans isolates in South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Shares some enzyme homology with PER-1 and -2. Hydrolyzes ceftazidime, cefotaxime, aztreonam and quinolones (high levels) plus penicillim (low levels). Inhibited by clavulanate, sulbactam and tazobactam, moxalactam, imipenem and cefoxitin.

MDRO-Associated Genes

The genes detected that confer multi-gene resistance are referred to herein as MDRO-associated genes or resistome genes and encompass one or more genes or gene families of KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA, CTX-M, Van-A, IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFC, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE. In preferred methods one or more gene or gene families of KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA, CTX-M, or Van-A are detected. In various aspects, the genes includes all family members. For example, by KPC it is meant to include KPC 2-KPC-16. By OXA it is meant to include OXA-48, 23, 51, 2, 10, 18, 24, 45, 50, 54, 55, 58, 60, and 62. Exemplary MDRO-associated genes useful in the practice of the methods of invention include but are not limited to the genes listed on Table 1.

As exemplified in detail in Table 1, as used herein, when reference is made to a gene abbreviation (e.g. KPC, OXA, VIM, etc) it is meant to include at least one and up to all subtypes. For example when reference is made to KPC it is meant to include at least one and up to all subtypes (e.g. KPC-2 through KPC-16) of KPC. As used herein, when reference is to be made to a subset of subtypes the gene abbreviation is followed by a number (e.g., VIM-1, VIM-5, OXA-2). For example when reference is made to OXA-2 it is meant to include OXA-2, 15, 32.)

TABLE 1 Gene Family Gene Subtypes KPC KPC-2 through KPC-16 NDM NDM-1 through NDM-9 VIM-1 VIM-1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39 VIM-5 VIM-5, 25, 38 OXA-2 OXA-2, 15, 32 OXA-10 OXA-10, 14, 16, 17 OXA-18 OXA-18 OXA-23 OXA-23, 49, 73, 146, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 225, 239 OXA-24 OXA-24, 25, 26, 40, 72, 139, 160, 207 OXA-45 OXA-45 OXA-48 OXA-48, 162, 163, 181, 199, 204, 232, 244, 245, 247 OXA-50 OXA-50 OXA-51 OXA-51, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 76, 77, 78, 80, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 115, 120, 128, 130, 132, 138, 144, 148, 149, 150, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 194, 195, 196, 197, 201, 202, 206, 208, 216, 217, 219, 223, 242, 248, 249, 254 OXA-54 OXA-54 OXA-55 OXA-55 OXA-58 OXA-58, 97 OXA-60 OXA-60 OXA-62 OXA-62 CTX-M-1 CTX-M-1, 3, 11, 12, 15, 22, 23, 28, 32, 33, 36, 42, 52, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 69, 71, 72, 79, 82, 88, 96, 101, 103, 107, 108, 109, 114, 117, 123, 132, 133, 136 CTX-M-2 CTX-M-2, 5, 20, 31, 43, 44, 56, 59, 76, 77, 92, 95, 97, 131 CTX-M- CTX-8, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 63, 78, 89, 91, 94, 100 8/25 CTX-M-9 CTX-9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24, 27, 38, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 65, 67, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 93, 98, 99, 104, 106, 110, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 129, 130, 134, 147 IMP-1 IMP-1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 25, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 42 IMP-2 IMP-2, 8, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 24, 32, 33 IMP-5 IMP-5 BEL BEL-1, 2, 3 CMY-2/ CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, CFE-1 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 and CFE-1 CMY-41 CMY-41, 47, 48, 50, 51, 65-68, 72, 75, 76, 78, 79, 81, 84, 87, 90, 103, 110 CMY-70 CMY-70, 74, 83, 93, 100, 101 GES GES-1 through GES-17 GIM GIM-1 IMI-1/ IMI-1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and NMC-A NMC-A PER PER-1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 SME SME-1 through SME-5 SPM SPM-1 VEB VEB-1 through VEB-9 ACC-1 ACC-1, 2, 4 ACC-3 ACC-3 ACT-1/ ACT-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14-21, 23, 35 MIR-1 and MIR-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 DHA DHA-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 FOX FOX-1 through FOX-10 MOX-1/ MOX-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, CMY-1 11, 19 TLA TLA-1 BES BES-1 SFC SFC-1 SIM SIM-1 SHV-G156 SHV-1-26, 28-31, 33-44, 46-92, 94-104, 106, 109, 111-176, 178-190 SHV-G156D SHV-27, 32, 45, 93, 105, 110, 177 SHV-G238/ SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, 19, 24-28, 32, 33, E240 35-39, 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96, 98-101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G238S/ SHV-2, 2A, 3, 20, 21, 30, 34, 39, 106, 141, 152, E240 153, 162, 163, SHV-G238/ SHV-31, 91, 97, 115, 120, 126, E240K SHV-G238S/ SHV-4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 22, 23, 445, 46, 55, E240K 64, 66, 90, 105, 123, 124, 128, 129, 134, 154, 160, 165, 183 TEM-E104 TEM-1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 25, 27-42, 44, 45, 47-49, 51, 53-55, 57-59, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68-86, 90, 91, 93, 95-105, 108, 110, 112, 114-120, 122, 125-128, 132, 135-137, 140, 141, 143-148, 150-152, 154-160, 162-166, 168-176, 178-183, 185-195, 198, 200-204, 206-210, 212-222 TEM-E104K TEM-3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 15-18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 43, 46, 50, 52, 56, 60, 63, 66, 87-89, 92, 94, 106, 107, 109, 111, 113, 121, 123, 124, 129-131, 133, 134, 138, 139, 142, 149, 153, 161, 167, 177, 184, 197, 199, 205, 211, TEM-R164 TEM-1-4, 13, 15, 18-22, 25, 30-42, 44, 45, 47-52, 54-59, 62, 65-74, 76-84, 88-90, 92-101, 103-106, 108, 110-113, 116, 117, 119, 120, 122-124, 126-128, 135, 138-140, 145, 146, 148, 150, 153, 156, 157, 159, 160, 162-164, 166-176, 178-183, 185, 186, 188-192, 194, 196-204, 206-222 TEM-R164H TEM-6, 11, 16, 27-29, 43, 61, 75, 107, 109, 115, 118, 132, 134, 147, 151, 152, 161, 187 TEM-R164C TEM-87, 92, 143, 144, 193, 195 TEM-R164S TEM-5, 7-10, 12, 24, 26, 46, 53, 60, 63, 85, 86, 102, 114, 121, 125, 129-131, 133, 136, 137, 149, 154, 155, 158, 165, 177, 184, 205 TEM- TEM-1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11-13, 16-18, 26, 29-41, 43-45, 51, G238/ 53-60, 62-65, 67, 69, 70, 73-84, 87, 90, 95-100, 102-106, E240 108-110, 115-119, 122, 124-131, 133, 140, 141, 143, 145-148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156-166, 168-176, 179-187, 190, 192-196, 198, 200-206, 208-210, 212-222 TEM- TEM-3, 4, 8, 15, 19-22, 25, 50, 52, 66, 88, 89, 92, 94, G238S/ 107, 112, 113, 120, 123, 134, 138, 139, 167, 197, 199, E240 211 TEM- TEM-5, 10, 24, 27, 28, 46, 61, 85, 86, 91, 114, 121, 132, G238/ 136, 144, 152, 155, 177, 189, 191 E240K TEM- TEM-42, 47-49, 68, 71, 72, 93, 101, 188 G238S/ E240K

The method involves extraction of bacterial DNA from a biological sample from a patient or directly from a biological sample culture or culture isolate. Extraction can be accomplished by any known method in the art. Preferably, the extraction method both isolates and purifies the DNA. By “purifies” it is meant that DNA sample is substantially free of protein, cellular debris and PCR inhibitors. Methods of extraction suitable for use in the present invention include, for example but not limited to Roche MagNAPure.

Unlike previous methods, the methods of the invention provide ultra-high sensitivity and resolution of MDRO-associated genes, with format flexibility to discriminate individual gene subtypes, or to screen for all MDRO gene families and subtypes in a combined probe “cocktail” assay format. The method provides for an optimal assay system whereby new MDRO genes or subtypes or infectious disease organism molecular biomarkers or identification genes can be incorporated into the assay format, to expand the scope of MDRO screening and identification potential based on the emergence of new MDROs over time. This ultra-high sensitivity and resolution may be accomplished with or without combining a pre-amplification step followed by a detection step utilizing primers and probes based upon sequence homology of the MRDO-associated gene families. These primers and probes include degenerate primers sequence capable of amplifying and detecting MDRO associated gene sub-families and subtypes, and based on the level of detection, can provide a semi-quantitative assessment on the level of MDRO genes in the sample. Thus, the methods of the invention are not only capable of detecting the presence of a MRDO-associated gene in a sample, the method also provides for the identification and semi-quantitative level of the subtype of the MDRO-associated gene. This ability to provide a genotype allows for the presumptive identification of bacterial or other infectious disease species. Thus, an unexpected advantage of the methods of the invention is that it provides the clinician with some guidance as to which bacteria species the subject is infected/or colonized with, and provides guidance on the risk profile of the subject for potential conversion from colonization to infection, or potential risk of transmitting a MDRO to another individual. (See, FIG. 1). It is also possible to include probes in the test format for organism identification (ID) and viruses along with Resistome Test probes to provide additional information about the patient microbiome. It is also possible to perform sequence-based microbiome analysis along with the Resistome Test.

The Resistome Test can be used by a clinician to help determine which antibiotics should be used based on a Resistome test result of the patient sample, either because of an individual resistance gene or combination of genes. Overall, the ability to stratify genotype is also very specific and reproducible (See, FIGS. 3 and 4). Organism Resistome profiles can be matched with actual Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (AST) data. When patients with matching Resistome patterns are found, their antibiotic resistance can potentially be inferred from this information.

Another unexpected advantage of the methods of the invention is the extreme sensitivity that can be ascertained from different sample types, including using a single swab sample, mixed culture sample, or bacterial isolate. Unlike other methods known in the art, the methods of the invention are capable of detecting less than 210 CFU/sample (and in some instance less than 15 CFU/sample) without the need to culture the sample. (See, FIG. 2).

The patient is suspected of or at high risk for having a multi-drug resistant bacteria colonization or infection. High risk patients include but are not limited to, patients residing in or being admitted from a long-term care facility, patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs), immuno-compromised patients, patients being treated for cancer or undergoing chemotherapy, organ and bone marrow transplant patients, patients with ventilators or catheters, patients in preparation for surgical procedures, postsurgical patients, patients previously diagnosed or treated for a Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI), and others. For example, a high risk patient is neutropenic, has cancer or has received a transplant. In some aspects the patient is “asymptomatic” means not exhibiting the traditional signs and symptoms.

The sample is any biological sample that contains gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria. For example, the biological sample is an anal swab, a rectal swab, a skin swab, nasal swab, wound swab, stool, blood, plasma, serum, urine, sputum, respiratory lavage, cerebrospinal fluid, or culture isolate.

Once the bacterial DNA is extracted from the biological sample, an enrichment step is performed prior to the detection of the MDRO associated genes. Enrichment is accomplished for example by performing multiplex PCR. After enrichment, detection is performed for example by using real time PCR using primers that are specific to the MDRO associated gene being detected. Optionally, an internal amplification control is included to guard against false negatives associated with PCR inhibition. Additionally, appropriate positive, negative and no-template control (NTC) samples are included during each performance run of the assay.

Definitions

In accordance with long standing patent law convention, the words “a” and “an” when used in this application, including the claims, denotes “one or more.”

As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are interchangeable, and should generally be understood to refer to a range of numbers around a given number, as well as to all numbers in a recited range of numbers (e.g., “about 5 to 15” means “about 5 to about 15” unless otherwise stated). Moreover, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include each whole integer within the range.

The terms “e.g.,” and “i.e.” as used herein, is used merely by way of example, without limitation intended, and should not be construed as referring only those items explicitly enumerated in the specification.

As used herein, infection is meant to include any infectious agent of bacterial origin. The bacterial infection may be the result of gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria or atypical bacteria.

The term “Gram-positive bacteria” are bacteria that are stained dark blue by Gram staining. Gram-positive organisms are able to retain the crystal violet stain because of the high amount of peptidoglycan in the cell wall.

The term “Gram-negative bacteria” are bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram staining protocol.

The term “Multi-drug Resistant Organism” is a microrganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites) that is resistant to distinct antimicrobial agents, first and foremost antibiotics, but also antifungal drugs, antiviral medications, and antiparasitic drugs.

The term “CRE” refers to carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae.

The term “ESBL” refers to extended spectrum beta lactamase.

The term “AmpC” refers to cephalosporinases encoded on the chromosomes of many of the Enterobacteriaceae and a few other organisms, where they mediate resistance to cephalothin, cefazolin, cefoxitin, most penicillins, and beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combinations. A multi-drug resistant organism includes, but are not limited to, organisms belonging to the genus Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Enteroccus, Escherichia, Kiebsiella, Serratia or Staphyloccus. Exemplary multi-drug resistant organisms include Acinetobacter Baumannii such as ATCC isolate #2894233-696-101-1, ATCC isolate #2894257-696-101-1 ATCC isolate #2894255-696-101-1, ATCC isolate #2894253-696-101-1, or ATCC #2894254-696-101-1; Citrobacter freundii such as ATCC isolate #33128, ATCC isolate #2894218-696-101-1, ATCC isolate #2894219-696-101-1, ATCC isolate #2894224-696-101-1, ATCC isolate #2894218-632-101-1, or ATCC isolate #2894218-659-101-1; Enterobacter cloacae such as ATCC isolate #22894251-659-101-1, ATCC isolate #22894264-659-101-1, ATCC isolate #22894246-659-101-1, ATCC isolate #22894243-659-101-1, or ATCC isolate #22894245-659-101-1; Enteroccus facalis such as ATCC isolate #22894228-659-101-1 ATCC isolate #22894222-659-101-1, ATCC isolate #22894221-659-101-1, ATCC isolate #22894225-659-101-1, or ATCC isolate #22894245-659-101-1; Enteroccus faecium such as ATCC isolate #51858, ATCC isolate #35667, ATCC isolate #2954833_2694008 ATCC isolate #2954833_2692765, or ATCC isolate #2954836_2694361; Escherichia coli such as ATCC isolate CGUC 11332, CGUC 11350, CGUC 11371, CGUC 11378, or CGUC 11393; Kiebsiella pneumonia such as ATTC isolate #27736, ATTC isolate #29011, ATTC isolate #20013, ATTC isolate #33495, or ATTC isolate #35657; Serratia marcescens such as ATCC isolate #43862, ATCC isolate #2338870, ATCC isolate #2426026, ATCC isolate # SIID 2895511, or ATCC isolate # SIID 2895538; or Staphyloccus aureus such as ATCC isolate # JHH 02, ATCC isolate # JHH 02, ATCC isolate # JHH 03, ATCC isolate # JHH 04, ATCC isolate # JHH 05, or ATCC isolate # JHH 06.

The term “methods of treating” includes methods of managing, and when used in connection with the biological organism or infection, includes the amelioration, elimination, reduction, prevention, or other relief or management from the detrimental effects of a biological organism. In a preferred embodiment, these detrimental effects include a mycobacterial infection, symptoms characterizing and/or effects associated with tuberculosis in the subject, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid” includes one or more types of: polydeoxyribonucleotides (containing 2-deoxy-D-ribose), polyribonucleotides (containing D-ribose), and any other type of polynucleotide that is an N-glycoside of a purine or pyrimidine base, or modified purine or pyrimidine bases (including abasic sites). The term “nucleic acid,” as used herein, also includes polymers of ribonucleosides or deoxyribonucleosides that are covalently bonded, typically by phosphodiester linkages between subunits, but in some cases by phosphorothioates, methylphosphonates, and the like. “Nucleic acids” include single- and double-stranded DNA, as well as single- and double-stranded RNA. Exemplary nucleic acids include, without limitation, gDNA; hnRNA; mRNA; rRNA, tRNA, micro RNA (miRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), small nucleolar RNA (snORNA), small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and small temporal RNA (stRNA), and the like, and any combination thereof.

As used herein, the term “DNA segment” refers to a DNA molecule that has been isolated free of total genomic DNA of a particular species. Therefore, a DNA segment obtained from a biological sample using one of the compositions disclosed herein refers to one or more DNA segments that have been isolated away from, or purified free from, total genomic DNA of the particular species from which they are obtained, and also in the case of pathogens, optionally isolated away from, or purified free from total mammalian (preferably human) genomic DNA of the infected individual. Included within the term “DNA segment,” are DNA segments and smaller fragments of such segments, as well as recombinant vectors, including, for example, plasmids, cosmids, phage, viruses, and the like.

Similarly, the term “RNA segment” refers to an RNA molecule that has been isolated free of total cellular RNA of a particular species. Therefore, RNA segments obtained from a biological sample using one of the compositions disclosed herein, refers to one or more RNA segments (either of native or synthetic origin) that have been isolated away from, or purified free from, other RNAs. Included within the term “RNA segment,” are RNA segments and smaller fragments of such segments.

The terms “identical” or percent “identity,” in the context of two or more nucleic acid or polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of amino acid residues or nucleotides that are the same, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using one of the sequence comparison algorithms described below (or other algorithms available to persons of ordinary skill) or by visual inspection.

The phrase “substantially identical,” in the context of two nucleic acids refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that have at least about 90%, preferably 91%, most preferably about 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 98.5%, 99%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, 99.9% or more nucleotide residue identity, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection. Such “substantially identical” sequences are typically considered “homologous,” without reference to actual ancestry.

As used herein, “sample” includes anything containing or presumed to contain a substance of interest. It thus may be a composition of matter containing nucleic acid, protein, or another biomolecule of interest. The term “sample” can thus encompass a solution, cell, tissue, or population of one of more of the same that includes a population of nucleic acids (genomic DNA, cDNA, RNA, protein, other cellular molecules, etc.). The terms “nucleic acid source,” “sample,” and “specimen” are used interchangeably herein in a broad sense, and are intended to encompass a variety of biological sources that contain nucleic acids, protein, one or more other biomolecules of interest, or any combination thereof. Exemplary biological samples include, but are not limited to, whole blood, plasma, serum, sputum, urine, stool, white blood cells, red blood cells, buffy coat, swabs (including, without limitation, buccal swabs, throat swabs, vaginal swabs, urethral swabs, cervical swabs, rectal swabs, lesion swabs, abscess swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and the like), urine, stool, sputum, tears, mucus, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, lymphatic fluid, amniotic fluid, spinal or cerebrospinal fluid, peritoneal effusions, pleural effusions, exudates, punctates, epithelial smears, biopsies, bone marrow samples, fluids from cysts or abscesses, synovial fluid, vitreous or aqueous humor, eye washes or aspirates, bronchial or pulmonary lavage, lung aspirates, and organs and tissues, including but not limited to, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, intestine, brain, heart, muscle, pancreas, and the like, and any combination thereof. Tissue culture cells, including explanted material, primary cells, secondary cell lines, and the like, as well as lysates, homogenates, extracts, or materials obtained from any cells, are also within the meaning of the term “biological sample,” as used herein. The ordinary-skilled artisan will also appreciate that lysates, extracts, or materials obtained from any of the above exemplary biological samples are also within the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the term “buffer” includes one or more compositions, or aqueous solutions thereof, that resist fluctuation in the pH when an acid or an alkali is added to the solution or composition that includes the buffer. This resistance to pH change is due to the buffering properties of such solutions, and may be a function of one or more specific compounds included in the composition. Thus, solutions or other compositions exhibiting buffering activity are referred to as buffers or buffer solutions. Buffers generally do not have an unlimited ability to maintain the pH of a solution or composition; rather, they are typically able to maintain the pH within certain ranges, for example from a pH of about 5 to 7.

As used herein, the term “patient” (also interchangeably referred to as “host” or “subject”) refers to any host that can serve as a source of one or more of the biological samples or specimens as discussed herein. In certain aspects, the donor will be a vertebrate animal, which is intended to denote any animal species (and preferably, a mammalian species such as a human being). In certain embodiments, a “patient” refers to any animal host, including but not limited to, human and non-human primates, avians, reptiles, amphibians, bovines, canines, caprines, cavities, corvines, epines, equines, felines, hircines, lapines, leporines, lupines, ovines, porcines, racines, vulpines, and the like, including, without limitation, domesticated livestock, herding or migratory animals or birds, exotics or zoological specimens, as well as companion animals, pets, and any animal under the care of a veterinary practitioner.

The term “substantially free” or “essentially free,” as used herein, typically means that a composition contains less than about 10 weight percent, preferably less than about 5 weight percent, and more preferably less than about 1 weight percent of a compound. In a preferred embodiment, these terms refer to less than about 0.5 weight percent, more preferably less than about 0.1 weight percent or even less than about 0.01 weight percent. The terms encompass a composition being entirely free of a compound or other stated property, as well. With respect to degradation or deterioration, the term “substantial” may also refer to the above-noted weight percentages, such that preventing substantial degradation would refer to less than about 15 weight percent, less than about 10 weight percent, preferably less than about 5 weight percent, etc., being lost to degradation. In other embodiments, these terms refer to mere percentages rather than weight percentages, such as with respect to the term “substantially non-pathogenic” where the term “substantially” refers to leaving less than about 10 percent, less than about 5 percent, etc., of the pathogenic activity.

As used herein, the term “heterologous” is defined in relation to a predetermined referenced nucleic acid sequence. For example, with respect to a structural gene sequence, a heterologous promoter is defined as a promoter that does not naturally occur adjacent to the referenced structural gene, but which is positioned by the hand of man in one or more laboratory manipulations that are routinely employed by those of ordinary skill in the molecular biological arts. Likewise, a heterologous gene or nucleic acid segment is defined as a gene or nucleic acid segment that does not naturally occur adjacent to the referenced sequence, promoter and/or enhancer element(s), etc.

As used herein, the term “healthy” refers to an individual whom is not at high risk of being infected with a multi-drug resistant organism.

As used herein, the term “homology” refers to a degree of complementarity between two or more polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences. The word “identity” may substitute for the word “homology” when a first nucleic acid or amino acid sequence has the exact same primary sequence as a second nucleic acid or amino acid sequence. Sequence homology and sequence identity can be determined by analyzing two or more sequences using algorithms and computer programs known in the art. Such methods may be used to assess whether a given sequence is identical or homologous to another selected sequence.

As used herein, “homologous” means, when referring to polynucleotides, sequences that have the same essential nucleotide sequence, despite arising from different origins. Typically, homologous nucleic acid sequences are derived from closely related genes or organisms possessing one or more substantially similar genomic sequences. By contrast, an “analogous” polynucleotide is one that shares the same function with a polynucleotide from a different species or organism, but may have a significantly different primary nucleotide sequence that encodes one or more proteins or polypeptides that accomplish similar functions or possess similar biological activity. Analogous polynucleotides may often be derived from two or more organisms that are not closely related (e.g., either genetically or phylogenetically).

The terms “identical” or percent “identity”, in the context of two or more nucleic acid or polynucleotide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of nucleotides that are the same, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window, as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm or by manual alignment and visual inspection.

A “primer” or “primer sequence” may include any nucleic acid sequence or segment that selectively hybridizes to a complementary template nucleic acid strand (“target sequence”) and functions as an initiation point for the addition of nucleotides to replicate the template strand. Primer sequences of the present invention may be labeled or contain other modifications which allow the detection and/or analysis of amplification products. In addition to serving as initiators for polymerase-mediated duplication of target DNA sequences, primer sequences may also be used for the reverse transcription of template RNAs into corresponding DNAs.

A “target sequence” or “target nucleotide sequence” as used herein includes any nucleotide sequence to which one of the disclosed primer sequences hybridizes under conditions that allow an enzyme having polymerase activity to elongate the primer sequence, and thereby replicate the complementary strand.

As used herein, the term “polypeptide” is intended to encompass a singular “polypeptide” as well as plural “polypeptides,” and includes any chain or chains of two or more amino acids. Thus, as used herein, terms including, but not limited to “peptide,” “dipeptide,” “tripeptide,” “protein,” “enzyme,” “amino acid chain,” and “contiguous amino acid sequence” are all encompassed within the definition of a “polypeptide,” and the term “polypeptide” can be used instead of, or interchangeably with, any of these terms. The term further includes polypeptides that have undergone one or more post-translational modification(s), including for example, but not limited to, glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, amidation, derivatization, proteolytic cleavage, post-translation processing, or modification by inclusion of one or more non-naturally occurring amino acids. Conventional nomenclature exists in the art for polynucleotide and polypeptide structures. For example, one-letter and three-letter abbreviations are widely employed to describe amino acids: Alanine (A; Ala), Arginine (R; Arg), Asparagine (N; Asn), Aspartic Acid (D; Asp), Cysteine (C; Cys), Glutamine (Q; Gln), Glutamic Acid (E; Glu), Glycine (G; Gly), Histidine (H; His), Isoleucine (I; Ile), Leucine (L; Leu), Methionine (M; Met), Phenylalanine (F; Phe), Proline (P; Pro), Serine (S; Ser), Threonine (T; Thr), Tryptophan (W; Trp), Tyrosine (Y; Tyr), Valine (V; Val), and Lysine (K; Lys). Amino acid residues described herein are preferred to be in the “L” isomeric form. However, residues in the “D” isomeric form may be substituted for any L-amino acid residue provided the desired properties of the polypeptide are retained.

“Protein” is used herein interchangeably with “peptide” and “polypeptide,” and includes both peptides and polypeptides produced synthetically, recombinantly, or in vitro and peptides and polypeptides expressed in vivo after nucleic acid sequences are administered into a host animal or human subject. The term “polypeptide” is preferably intended to refer to all amino acid chain lengths, including those of short peptides of about 2 to about 20 amino acid residues in length, oligopeptides of about 10 to about 100 amino acid residues in length, and polypeptides of about 100 to about 5,000 or more amino acid residues in length. The term “sequence,” when referring to amino acids, relates to all or a portion of the linear N-terminal to C-terminal order of amino acids within a given amino acid chain, e.g., polypeptide or protein; “subsequence” means any consecutive stretch of amino acids within a sequence, e.g., at least 3 consecutive amino acids within a given protein or polypeptide sequence. With reference to nucleotide and polynucleotide chains, “sequence” and “subsequence” have similar meanings relating to the 5′ to 3′ order of nucleotides.

As used herein, the term “substantially homologous” encompasses two or more biomolecular sequences that are significantly similar to each other at the primary nucleotide sequence level. For example, in the context of two or more nucleic acid sequences, “substantially homologous” can refer to at least about 75%, preferably at least about 80%, and more preferably at least about 85%, or at least about 90% identity, and even more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about 97% identical, more preferably at least about 98% identical, more preferably at least about 99% identical, and even more preferably still, entirely identical (i.e., 100% or “invariant”).

Likewise, as used herein, the term “substantially identical” encompasses two or more biomolecular sequences (and in particular polynucleotide sequences) that exhibit a high degree of identity to each other at the nucleotide level. For example, in the context of two or more nucleic acid sequences, “substantially identical” can refer to sequences that at least about 80%, and more preferably at least about 85% or at least about 90% identical to each other, and even more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about 97% identical, more preferably at least about 98% identical, more preferably at least about 99% identical, and even more preferably still, entirely identical (i.e., 100% identical or “non-degenerate”).

The term “recombinant” indicates that the material (e.g., a polynucleotide or a polypeptide) has been artificially or synthetically (non-naturally) altered by human intervention. The alteration can be performed on the material within or removed from, its natural environment or state. Specifically, e.g., a promoter sequence is “recombinant” when it is produced by the expression of a nucleic acid segment engineered by the hand of man. For example, a “recombinant nucleic acid” is one that is made by recombining nucleic acids, e.g., during cloning, DNA shuffling or other procedures, or by chemical or other mutagenesis; a “recombinant polypeptide” or “recombinant protein” is a polypeptide or protein which is produced by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid; and a “recombinant virus,” e.g., a recombinant influenza virus, is produced by the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid.

As used herein, the term “operably linked” refers to a linkage of two or more polynucleotides or two or more nucleic acid sequences in a functional relationship. A nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For instance, a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the coding sequence. “Operably linked” means that the nucleic acid sequences being linked are typically contiguous, or substantially contiguous, and, where necessary to join two protein coding regions, contiguous and in reading frame. Since enhancers generally function when separated from the promoter by several kilobases and intronic sequences may be of variable lengths; however, some polynucleotide elements may be operably linked but not contiguous.

The phrases “isolated” or “biologically pure” refer to material that is substantially, or essentially, free from components that normally accompany the material as it is found in its native state. Thus, isolated polynucleotides in accordance with the invention preferably do not contain materials normally associated with those polynucleotides in their natural, or in situ, environment.

“Link” or “join” refers to any method known in the art for functionally connecting one or more proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, or polynucleotides, including, without limitation, recombinant fusion, covalent bonding, disulfide bonding, ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic bonding, and the like.

As used herein, the term “plasmid” refers to a genetic construct that is composed of genetic material (i.e., nucleic acids). Typically, a plasmid contains an origin of replication that is functional in bacterial host cells, e.g., Escherichia coli, and selectable markers for detecting bacterial host cells including the plasmid. Plasmids of the present invention may include one or more genetic elements as described herein arranged such that an inserted coding sequence can be transcribed and translated in a suitable expression cells. In addition, the plasmid may include one or more nucleic acid segments, genes, promoters, enhancers, activators, multiple cloning regions, or any combination thereof, including segments that are obtained from or derived from one or more natural and/or artificial sources.

Suitable standard hybridization conditions for the present invention include, for example, hybridization in 50% formamide, 5.times.Denhardts' solution, 5.times.SSC, 25 mM sodium phosphate, 0.1% SDS and 100.mu.g/mL of denatured salmon sperm DNA at 42 degrees C. for 16 h followed by 1 hr sequential washes with 0.1.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS solution at 60.degree. C. to remove the desired amount of background signal. Lower stringency hybridization conditions for the present invention include, for example, hybridization in 35% formamide, 5.times.Denhardts' solution, 5.times.SSC, 25 mM sodium phosphate, 0.1% SDS and 100.mu.g/mL denatured salmon sperm DNA or E. coli DNA at 42 degrees C. for 16 h followed by sequential washes with 0.8.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS at 55.degree. C. Those of skill in the art will recognize that conditions can be readily adjusted to obtain the desired level of stringency.

Naturally, the present invention also encompasses nucleic acid segments that are complementary, essentially complementary, and/or substantially complementary to at least one or more of the specific nucleotide sequences specifically set forth herein. Nucleic acid sequences that are “complementary” are those that are capable of base-pairing according to the standard Watson-Crick complementarity rules. As used herein, the term “complementary sequences” means nucleic acid sequences that are substantially complementary, as may be assessed by the same nucleotide comparison set forth above, or as defined as being capable of hybridizing to one or more of the specific nucleic acid segments disclosed herein under relatively stringent conditions such as those described immediately above.

As described above, the probes and primers of the present invention may be of any length. By assigning numeric values to a sequence, for example, the first residue is 1, the second residue is 2, etc., an algorithm defining all probes or primers contained within a given sequence can be proposed: n to n+y where n is an integer from 1 to the last number of the sequence and y is the length of the probe or primer minus one, where n+y does not exceed the last number of the sequence. Thus, for a 25-basepair probe or primer (i.e., a “25-mer”), the collection of probes or primers correspond to bases 1 to 25, bases 2 to 26, bases 3 to 27, bases 4 to 28, and so on over the entire length of the sequence. Similarly, for a 35-basepair probe or primer (i.e., a “35-mer), exemplary primer or probe sequence include, without limitation, sequences corresponding to bases 1 to 35, bases 2 to 36, bases 3 to 37, bases 4 to 38, and so on over the entire length of the sequence. Likewise, for 40-mers, such probes or primers may correspond to the nucleotides from the first basepair to by 40, from the second by of the sequence to by 41, from the third by to by 42, and so forth, while for 50-mers, such probes or primers may correspond to a nucleotide sequence extending from bp 1 to bp 50, from bp 2 to bp 51, from bp 3 to bp 52, from bp 4 to bp 53, and so forth.

In certain embodiments, it will be advantageous to employ one or more nucleic acid segments of the present invention in combination with an appropriate detectable marker (i.e., a “label,”), such as in the case of employing labeled polynucleotide probes in determining the presence of a given target sequence in a hybridization assay. A wide variety of appropriate indicator compounds and compositions are known in the art for labeling oligonucleotide probes, including, without limitation, fluorescent, radioactive, enzymatic or other ligands, such as avidin/biotin, etc., which are capable of being detected in a suitable assay. In particular embodiments, one may also employ one or more fluorescent labels or an enzyme tag such as urease, alkaline phosphatase or peroxidase, instead of radioactive or other environmentally less-desirable reagents. In the case of enzyme tags, colorimetric, chromogenic, or fluorigenic indicator substrates are known that can be employed to provide a method for detecting the sample that is visible to the human eye, or by analytical methods such as scintigraphy, fluorimetry, spectrophotometry, and the like, to identify specific hybridization with samples containing one or more complementary or substantially complementary nucleic acid sequences. In the case of so-called “multiplexing” assays, where two or more labeled probes are detected either simultaneously or sequentially, it may be desirable to label a first oligonucleotide probe with a first label having a first detection property or parameter (for example, an emission and/or excitation spectral maximum), which also labeled a second oligonucleotide probe with a second label having a second detection property or parameter that is different (i.e., discreet or discernable from the first label. The use of multiplexing assays, particularly in the context of genetic amplification/detection protocols are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the molecular genetic arts.

In general, it is envisioned that one or more of the amplification primers and/or hybridization probes described herein will be useful both as reagents in solution hybridization (e.g., PCR methodologies and the like), and in embodiments employing “solid-phase” analytical protocols and such like.

Methods and Uses of the Invention

The methods disclosed herein are used to identify subjects that are colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant organism. More specifically, some methods of the invention are used to distinguish patients having a multi-drug resistant organism from patients with a non-infectious disease and/or healthy individuals. For example, the methods of the invention can be used to make a contact precaution recommendation for the patient having a multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection. Contact precaution recommendations includes one or more of the following: isolating the patient to a quarantine area or ward, providing a private room for said patient, donning personal protective apparel upon entering the patient's room, limiting patient mobility, limiting or restricting access of non-colonized or non-infected patients or medical personnel to the patient, or providing dedicated patient care equipment.

Some methods of the present invention can also be used to monitor or select a treatment regimen for a patient who has an MDRO colonization or infection, and to screen subjects who have not been previously diagnosed as having an MDRO colonization or infection, such as subjects who exhibit risk factors for developing an infection. Some methods of the present invention are used to identify and/or diagnose subjects who are asymptomatic for a MDRO infection. “Asymptomatic” means not exhibiting the traditional signs and symptoms.

A reference value can be relative to a number or value derived from population studies, including without limitation, such subjects having the same infection, subject having the same or similar age range, subjects in the same or similar ethnic group, or relative to the starting sample of a subject undergoing treatment for an infection. Such reference values can be derived from statistical analyses and/or risk prediction data of populations obtained from mathematical algorithms and computed indices of infection. Reference indices can also be constructed and used using algorithms and other methods of statistical and structural classification.

The effectiveness of a treatment regimen can be monitored by detecting a one or more MDRO-associated genes in a sample obtained from a subject over time and comparing the amount of MDRO-associated genes detected. For example, a first sample can be obtained prior to the subject receiving treatment and one or more subsequent samples are taken after or during treatment of the subject.

For example, the methods of the invention can be used to discriminate between patients that are colonized or infected with an MDRO and those that are not. This will allow patients to be stratified and treated accordingly.

In a specific embodiment of the invention a treatment recommendation (i.e., selecting a treatment regimen) for a subject is provided by identifying a MDRO colonization or infection in the subject according to the method of any of the disclosed methods and recommending that the subject receive an antibiotic treatment. For example, when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, SFC, IMP, SME, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic; when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, or SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic, when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination; or when VanA is detected recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin.

In other embodiments, the presence or absence of the MDRO-associated genes and are used in conjunction with other clinical factors that to make an antibiotic recommendation for a patient. For example KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, SME, SFC, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected consider that the patient may be resistant to carbapenem antibiotics; when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, or SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K is detected consider that the patient may be resistant to cephalosporin antibiotics, when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected consider that the patient may be resistant to a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination; or when VanA is consider that the patient may be resistant to vancomycin.

In another embodiment, the methods of the invention can be used to prompt additional targeted diagnosis such as pathogen specific PCRs, chest-X-ray, cultures etc. For example, the methods of the invention can be used to recommend a test to determine the genus and or species of the multi-drug resistant organism to determine the source of the bacterial infection. In another embodiment, the methods of the invention can be used as a screening and surveillance method to establish the source and type of infection or colonization in a patient or person athlete (anatomical site) and/or from the environment such as hospital room location or fixture, or sports facility locker room location, in order to characterize infection transmission events and to generate geophysical maps of infection outbreaks in healthcare settings, sports complexes, and other physical settings where MDROs may colonize or spread (see FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10).

Some aspects of the present invention can also be used to screen patient or subject populations in any number of settings. For example, a health maintenance organization, public health entity or school health program can screen a group of subjects to identify those requiring interventions, as described above, or for the collection of epidemiological data. Insurance companies (e.g., health, life or disability) may screen applicants in the process of determining coverage or pricing, or existing clients for possible intervention. Data collected in such population screens, particularly when tied to any clinical progression to conditions like infection, will be of value in the operations of, for example, health maintenance organizations, public health programs and insurance companies. Such data arrays or collections can be stored in machine-readable media and used in any number of health-related data management systems to provide improved healthcare services, cost effective healthcare, improved insurance operation, etc. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0038227; U.S. Patent Application No. US 2004/0122296; U.S. Patent Application No. US 2004/0122297; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,067. Such systems can access the data directly from internal data storage or remotely from one or more data storage sites as further detailed herein.

A machine-readable storage medium can comprise a data storage material encoded with machine readable data or data arrays which, when using a machine programmed with instructions for using said data, is capable of use for a variety of purposes. Measurements of effective amounts of the biomarkers of the invention and/or the resulting evaluation of risk from those biomarkers can be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers, comprising, inter alia, a processor, a data storage system (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. Program code can be applied to input data to perform the functions described above and generate output information. The output information can be applied to one or more output devices, according to methods known in the art. The computer may be, for example, a personal computer, microcomputer, or workstation of conventional design.

Each program can be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program can be stored on a storage media or device (e.g., ROM or magnetic diskette or others as defined elsewhere in this disclosure) readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer, for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. The health-related data management system used in some aspects of the invention may also be considered to be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform various functions described herein.

Methods of Detecting MDRO-Associated Genes

Following collection of the population of polynucleotides from a biological sample, any method of nucleic acid extraction or separation from the collection solution and microorganism debris, such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, may be performed, as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, the use of the standard phenol/chloroform purification, silica-based methods, and extraction methods based on magnetic glass particle.

Compositions and methods used in the present invention are compatible with most, if not all, commercially available nucleic acid extraction compositions and methods, such as, but not limited to QiaAmp® DNA Mini kit (Qiagen®, Hilden, Germany), MagNA Pure 96 System (Roche Diagnostics, USA), and the NucIiSENS® easyMAG® extraction system (bioMerieux, France).

After sample extraction, a sample enrichment step (pre-amplification) is performed. The pre-amplification step can be accomplished by any methods know in the art, for example by PCR. Preferable the sample enrichment step is performed using nested PCR which allows for simultaneous amplification of several target genes using multiplex PCR.

After amplification, MDRO-associated gene are detected by any method known in the art, and preferably by multiplex real time PCR formats such as nanofluidic, microfluidic chip detection real time PCR instrumentation such as Fluidigm Biomark; bead based multiplex detection systems such as Luminex; single target or low multiplex PCR format instrumentation such as Roche Light Cycler; droplet PCR/digital PCR detection system such as Raindances's RainDrop System; or next generation sequencing technology such as Illumina MiSeq, or semiconductor sequencing such as Ion Torrent's, ion PGM™ System.

The present invention also provides for compositions and methods of detecting MDRO associated gene-specific nucleic acid sequences present in a population of polynucleotides that has been isolated or extracted from a biological sample. The polynucleotide compositions of the present invention, and particularly those useful in the detection of MDRO associated gene-specific nucleic acid sequences (including, for example, any one of or a combination of KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA, CTX-M or Van-A specific nucleic acids), preferably contain at least a single primer, or alternatively, two or more primers (e.g., “forward” and “reverse” primers) that may be used to facilitate amplification of the particular target nucleic acid sequence to be amplified. Exemplary primers useful in the practice of the invention include, but are in no way limited to, those primer sequences that specifically bind to the target nucleic acid sequence itself or to one or more regions immediately upstream (5′) and or downstream (3′) of the actual target nucleic sequence.

Primers useful in amplification of a particular sequence of interest may be designed using, for example, a computer program such as OLIGO® (Molecular Biology Insights Inc., Cascade, Colo., USA). Typically, oligonucleotide primers are from about 10 to about 60 or so nucleotides in length (including, without limitation, all intermediate integers, e.g., 10, 11, 12, etc., or even 60 or more nucleotides in length), although primers of any practical length may be useful in the practice of certain embodiments of the invention.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides oligonucleotide probes and primer sequences specific MDRO-associated genes. In illustrative embodiments, exemplary oligonucleotide primer sequences are disclosed that are useful in the detection and/or amplification of nucleic acid segments that are universal across to particular types, subtypes of MGRO-associated genes.

For example, in preferred embodiments the amplification and detection primers are chosen such that the primers are capable of specifically binding to most, if not, all subtypes of a particular MDRO-associated gene. For example, the primer is chosen by identifying regions of homology across the subtypes and degenerate nucleotides are utilized to accommodate for the lack of 100% homology.

Preferably, the amplification primers and detection primers and probe bind in the same region of homology, i.e. the amplification primers and detection primers and probe are nested. In some aspects the primers used in the amplification step are different than the primers used in the detection step.

The primers and probes are designed such that a single set of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and a single set of forward and reverse detection primers and probe are capable of amplifying and detecting all 15 KPC subtypes or all nine NDM subtypes. For VIM, primers and probes are designed such that three sets of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and three sets of forward and reverse primers and probes are capable of amplifying and detecting all 40 VIM subtypes. For OXA, primers and probes are designed such that five sets of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and five sets of forward and reverse primers and probes are capable of amplifying and detecting all the OXA subtypes in the OXA-51, OXA-23, OXA-48, OXA-24/40 and OXA-58 subfamilies. For CTX-M, primers and probes are designed such that a five sets of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and five sets of forward and reverse primers are capable of amplifying and detecting all the CTX-M subtypes in the CTX-M-1, CTX-M-2, CTX-M-8, CTX-M-9 and CTX-25.

Alternatively the primers and probes are designed such that a single set of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and a single set of forward and reverse detection primers and probe are capable of amplifying and detecting a specific group of subtypes of an MDRO-associated gene. For example, OXA primers and probes are designed such that sets of forward and reverse amplification primers can be used for sample enrichment and sets of forward and reverse primers are capable of amplifying and detecting only OXA subtypes OXA-23, 49, 73, 146, 165, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 225, 239

In additional embodiments, exemplary oligonucleotide detection probe sequences are disclosed that are particularly useful in the detection and quantitation of amplification products arising from such polynucleotides. Detection of these products when indicative of the presence of these MDRO-specific polynucleotides in a clinical sample can provide clinical diagnosticians and other medical professionals with a means for predicting and/or confirming the likelihood of a MDRO infection in patients from whom such samples are collected. Such information may also be useful in the management of care for such individuals, and may also serve as molecular markers for determining the extent, significance, and/or rate of disease progression.

The oligonucleotide primers and probes of the present invention are designed for the selective amplification and detection of MDRO-associated gene encoding nucleic acid segments. disclosed primer sequences are suitable for use in hybridization methods, and in DNA amplification methods such as PCR-based amplification methods (including, for example, real-time PCR analyses). Likewise, the disclosed oligonucleotide detection probes are suitable for labeling with an appropriate label means for detection and quantitation of the products resulting from the amplification of nucleic acids using one or more pairs of the amplification primers disclosed herein.

In general, the oligonucleotide probes and primers finding particular utility in the practice of the disclosed methods should be of sufficient length to selectively hybridize to a complementary nucleic acid sequence, obtained from a clinical isolate of a mammalian patient that is suspected of having, or at risk for developing a MDRO infection.

In particular, oligonucleotide primers and probes are selected such that they selectively hybridize to specific complementary nucleic acid sequences upstream and downstream of a region of DNA that encompasses a nucleic acid sequence from an MDRO-associated gene. The selection of oligonucleotide probe and primer lengths is a process well-known in the molecular biological arts, and depends upon a number of parameters.

For most embodiments, the inventors contemplate that the length of the selected probe and primer compositions of the invention will preferably be less than about 50 to 60 or so nucleotides in length, and more preferably, will be less than about 40 to 45 or so nucleotides in length, while other probes and primers of the invention may be on the order of about 30 to 35 or so nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the length of the selected oligonucleotide primer sequences (e.g., “forward” and “reverse” primers) and/or the length of the selected detection probe sequences (e.g., “anchor” and “sensor” probes), will likely be on the order of about 20 to 40 or so nucleotides in length, in some cases about 23 to about 40 nucleotides in length, or about 20 to about 30 nucleotides in length, although in some cases, the sizes of particular probes and primer sequences may be larger than that, and on the order of about 60 to 70 nucleotides in length. Alternatively, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to employ shorter probe and/or primer sequences, and as such, the oligonucleotides selected for practice of the invention may be on the order of about 15 to 28 or so nucleotides in length or even slightly shorter, such as about 15 to about 25 nucleotides, in some embodiments.

In the context of the present application, it is understood that all intermediate oligonucleotide lengths within the various ranges stated herein are contemplated to expressly fall within the scope of the present invention. To that end, oligonucleotides that are less than about 60, less than about 59, less than about 58, less than about 57, less than about 56, less than about 55, less than about 54, less than about 53, less than about 52, less than about 51, etc. are expressly within the scope of the present disclosure, as are oligonucleotides that are less than about 50, less than about 49, less than about 48, less than about 47, less than about 46, less than about 45, less than about 44, less than about 43, less than about 42, less than about 41, as well as oligonucleotides that are less than about less than about 40, less than about 39, less than about 38, less than about 37, less than about 36, less than about 35, less than about 34, less than about 33, less than about 32, less than about 31, as well as oligonucleotides that are less than about less than about 30, less than about 29, less than about 28, less than about 27, less than about 26, less than about 25, less than about 24, less than about 23, less than about 22, less than about 21, less than about 20, less than about 19, less than about 18, less than about 17, less than about 16, less than about 15, less than about 14, and so forth.

As used herein, “nucleic acid” or “polynucleotide” compositions include, but are not limited to, those that contain either single-stranded or double-stranded polynucleotides, such as for example, deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA), ribonucleic acids (RNA), peptide nucleic acids (PNA), or any combinations or derivatives thereof (including, e.g., genomic, extragenomic, plasmid, cosmid, recombinant, artificial, and/or synthetic). Such sequences may be coding or non-coding sequences, sense, non-sense, or anti-sense sequences, and may, but need not, be present within one or more populations or pluralities of polynucleotides (either of the present invention, and a polynucleotide may, but need not, be linked to other molecules and/or support materials.

Likewise, polynucleotides of the present invention, and particularly those functioning as probes and/or primers specific for one or more particular types, subtypes, or strains of MDRO-associated genes, need not be identical, or even substantially homologous to the particular sequences employed in the various embodiments of the invention illustrated herein. While the inventors have illustrated the use of particular probe and primer sequences as tools for identifying, amplifying, and quantitating a particular MDRO-associated gene subtype or strain, such primers and/or probe sequences need not contain the particular nucleotide sequences employed in the illustrative examples provided herein.

In fact, in certain circumstances, polynucleotides useful as probe and/or primer sequences may include any suitable sequences that may be obtained, prepared, modified, or synthesized for such purpose. Moreover, in some instances, it is preferable that the probe and primer sequences utilized specifically hybridize to their particular target sequences, and do not share significant homology or substantially bind to other viral, bacterial, or fungal species, or to the genome of the host organism from which the biological sample was originally obtained. Likewise, it is desirable that the various probes and primer compositions used for the detection of particular subtypes and/or strains of a given MDRO-associated gene also not cross-react, or hybridize to other or non-related nucleic acids that may also be present in the sample under assay.

As noted herein, the invention provides detection probes that contain at least a first sequence domain that specifically hybridizes (i.e., binds) to a suitably-detectable probe, including, without limitation, molecularly-labeled probes and derivatives thereof. Exemplary labeled probes are those that include radioactive, luminescent, chemiluminescent, fluorescent, enzymatic, magnetic, or spin-resonance labels known to those of ordinary skill in the molecular arts. In illustrative embodiments, the labeled probe contains at least a first minor groove binder. In certain embodiments, the detection probe may include a fluorescent label such as fluorescein, 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-FAM), or 6-carboxyfluoroscein-N-succinimidyl ester (6-FAMSE), VIC™ dye and the like, or a combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, to facilitate the binding of conventional detectable-label probes, the detection probes of the invention will contain at least a first sequence domain of from about 10 to about 60 nucleotides, in some instances about 10 to about 50 nucleotides, or about 10 to about 40 nucleotides, or about 10 to about 30 nucleotides, or about 10 to about 20 nucleotides in length that specifically binds to at least a first detectable probe. While the first sequence domain may be of any practical length within the entirety of the carrier sequence, preferably, the first sequence domain will be from about 12 to about 50 nucleotides in length; more preferably, from about 14 to about 45 nucleotides in length; still more preferably, from about 16 to about 40 or so nucleotides in length, and more preferably still, from about 18 to about 30 or so nucleotides in length.

As such, all intermediate lengths of probe-hybridizing sequence domains are contemplated to fall within the scope of the present disclosure, including, without limitation, probe-binding domains that are about 13 nucleotides in length, about 14 nucleotides in length, about 15 nucleotides in length, about 16 nucleotides in length, about 17 nucleotides in length, about 18 nucleotides in length, about 19 nucleotides in length, about 20 nucleotides in length, about 21 nucleotides in length, about 22 nucleotides in length, about 23 nucleotides in length, about 24 nucleotides in length, about 25 nucleotides in length, about 26 nucleotides in length, about 27 nucleotides in length, about 28 nucleotides in length, about 29 nucleotides in length, about 30 nucleotides in length, about 31 nucleotides in length, about 32 nucleotides in length, about 33 nucleotides in length, about 34 nucleotides in length, about 35 nucleotides in length, or even about 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 or so nucleotides in length.

In exemplary embodiments, the amplification primers and detection probes may be prepared by one or more suitable molecular biology techniques, including, e.g., by the in vitro transcription of a polynucleotide that includes the sequence, or alternatively, includes a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the sequence.

Preferably, to this formulation a sufficient amount of primers and probe are added so as to amplify and detect the desired target.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide reagent mixtures that include more than a single pair of amplification primers and a detection probe that is specific for a given target nucleic acid sequence. For example, when it is desirable to determine the presence of two or more MDRO-associated gene, the composition of the invention may be formulated to contain a first pair of amplification primers that specifically bind to at least a first target region of an KPC-specific polynucleotide, and a second pair of amplification primers that specifically bind to at least a first target region of an NMM, VIM, IMP, OXA, CTX-M, Van-A, MI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE-specific polynucleotide.

In addition, when an internal positive control (IPC) is added to an initial collection solution or the extracted nucleic acid sample, the composition may be further or additionally formulated to include a first pair of amplification primers that specifically bind to at least a first target region of a particular IPC polynucleotide.

For detection of the particular amplification product(s) produced from such compositions, the compositions will also further include a first detection probe that specifically binds to the amplification product produced from the first pair of amplification primers, and a second distinct detection probe that specifically binds to the amplification product produced from the second pair of amplification primers. In such compositions, it is preferable that the two, three or four detection probes present in the formulation be distinct, such that each of the probes (if specifically bound to a target in the resulting amplification mixture) may be individually detectable using conventional methodologies. Such probe distinctiveness is readily achievable in the conventional arts, using, for example, detection probes that include detection moieties that fluoresce at two, three or four distinctly-different wavelengths.

In some aspects of the invention, the amplification and/or detection of target nucleic acids may be done sequentially, while in other aspects, it may be desirable to amplify and/or detection multiple target nucleic acids simultaneously. For example, a given biological sample could first be screened for the presence of KPC, and if none are found, the sample then secondarily screened for the presence of NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA, CTX-M, VAN-A MI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE-specific target sequence(s).

The methods for nucleic acid hybridization are considered routine to those of ordinary skill in the molecular biological arts, and as such, a detailed discussion of analytical methods employing them need not be provided herein. However, as a guidance, “moderately stringent” hybridization conditions popularized by Southern et al. are generally considered in the art to include, e.g., pre-washing in a solution containing about 5× standard sodium citrate buffer (SSC), 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1.0 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (e.g., pH 8.0); hybridizing at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 60° C. in 5×SSC overnight; followed by washing twice at about 60 to 65° C. for 20 min. with each of 2×0.5× and 0.2×SSC containing 0.1% SDS). Likewise, “stringent” hybridization conditions typically include, e.g., pre-washing in a solution containing about 5×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 1.0 mM EDTA (pH 8.0); hybridizing at a temperature of from about 60° C. to about 70° C. in 5×SSC overnight; followed by washing twice at about 65 to 70° C. for 20 min with each of 2×, 0.5× and 0.2×SSC containing 0.1% SDS). Similarly, representative examples of “highly-stringent” hybridization conditions include, but are not limited to, pre-washing in a solution containing about 5×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 1.0 mM EDTA (pH 8.0); hybridizing at a temperature of from about 70° C. to about 75° C. in 5×SSC overnight; followed by washing twice at about 70° C. to about 75° C. for 20 mM with each of 2×, 0.5× and 0.2×SSC containing 0.1% SDS).

It will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that, as a result of the degeneracy of the genetic code, there are many nucleotide sequences that encode a given primary amino acid sequence. Some of these polynucleotides bear minimal homology to the nucleotide sequence of any native gene. Nonetheless, polynucleotides that vary due to differences in codon usage are specifically contemplated by the present invention.

Detection probes and amplification primers may be prepared by conventional molecular biology recombination methodologies, or alternatively synthesized in whole or in part by conventional methods known in the art, including chemical synthesis (e.g., solid phase phosphoramidite chemical synthesis) and the like. Modifications in a polynucleotide sequence may also be introduced using standard mutagenesis techniques, such as oligonucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis. RNA molecules for use as detection probes or primers may also be directly synthesized, or alternatively, be prepared by in vitro or in vivo transcription of DNA sequences using suitable systems (such as T3, T7, and SP6 polymerases and the like).

Polynucleotides of the present invention may be modified to increase stability either in vitro and/or in vivo. Such modifications include, without limitation, the addition of flanking sequences at the 5′-end, 3′-end, or both; the use of phosphorothioate or 2′-o-methyl rather than phosphodiesterase linkages in the backbone; and/or the inclusion of nontraditional bases such as inosine, queosine and wybutosine, as well as acetyl-, methyl-, thio-, or otherwise-modified forms of adenine, cytidine, guanine, thymine and uridine, or any combination thereof.

Nucleotide sequences as described herein may be joined or linked to a variety of other nucleotide sequences using established recombinant techniques. For example, a polynucleotide useful as an amplification probe or detection primer may be produced by cloning into any of a variety of cloning vectors, including one or more of plasmids, phagemids, lambda phage derivatives and cosmids. Vectors of particular interest include expression vectors, replication vectors, probe generation vectors, and sequencing vectors. In general, a vector will contain an origin of replication functional in at least one organism, convenient restriction endonuclease sites and one or more selectable markers. Other elements will depend upon the desired use, and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, probe and primer-specific oligonucleotide sequences may be prepared through one or more template-dependent or amplicon-directed recombinant production methodologies that are known to those of ordinary skill in the arts.

In particular embodiments, the present invention provides polynucleotide compositions that may be added to the disclosed collection/storage/transport media to provide one or more amplification primer(s) and or detection probe(s) to analyze and/or characterize a population of target polynucleotides isolated, for example, from a biological sample or specimen. Such polynucleotide compositions may contain one or more sequence domains to which specific polymerases may bind, and may serve as suitable amplification primers, and/or detection probes.

Performance and Accuracy Measures of the Invention

The performance and thus absolute and relative clinical usefulness of the invention may be assessed in multiple ways as noted above. Amongst the various assessments of performance, some aspects of the invention are intended to provide accuracy in clinical diagnosis and prognosis.

In the categorical diagnosis of a disease state, changing the cut point or threshold value of a test (or assay) usually changes the sensitivity and specificity, but in a qualitatively inverse relationship. Therefore, in assessing the accuracy and usefulness of a proposed medical test, assay, or method for assessing a subject's condition, one should always take both sensitivity and specificity into account and be mindful of what the cut point is at which the sensitivity and specificity are being reported because sensitivity and specificity may vary significantly over the range of cut points. Use of statistics such as AUC, encompassing all potential cut point values, is preferred for most categorical risk measures when using some aspects of the invention, while for continuous risk measures, statistics of goodness-of-fit and calibration to observed results or other gold standards, are preferred.

The methods of the invention are capable of detecting less than 250, 240, 230, 220, 215, 210, 200, 175, 165, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 05 15 colony forming units per sample.

By predetermined level of predictability it is meant that the method provides an acceptable level of clinical or diagnostic accuracy. Using such statistics, an “acceptable degree of diagnostic accuracy”, is herein defined as a test or assay (such as the test used in some aspects of the invention for determining the clinically significant presence of DETERMINANTS, which thereby indicates the presence an infection type) in which the AUC (area under the ROC curve for the test or assay) is at least 0.60, desirably at least 0.65, more desirably at least 0.70, preferably at least 0.75, more preferably at least 0.80, and most preferably at least 0.85.

By a “very high degree of diagnostic accuracy”, it is meant a test or assay in which the AUC (area under the ROC curve for the test or assay) is at least 0.75, 0.80, desirably at least 0.85, more desirably at least 0.875, preferably at least 0.90, more preferably at least 0.925, and most preferably at least 0.95.

Alternatively, the methods predict the presence or absence of an MDRO with at least 75% total accuracy, more preferably 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or greater total accuracy.

Alternatively, the methods predict the presence or absence of an MDRO with an MCC larger than 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8., 0.9 or 1.0.

The predictive value of any test depends on the sensitivity and specificity of the test, and on the prevalence of the condition in the population being tested. This notion, based on Bayes' theorem, provides that the greater the likelihood that the condition being screened for is present in an individual or in the population (pre-test probability), the greater the validity of a positive test and the greater the likelihood that the result is a true positive. Thus, the problem with using a test in any population where there is a low likelihood of the condition being present is that a positive result has limited value (i.e., more likely to be a false positive). Similarly, in populations at very high risk, a negative test result is more likely to be a false negative.

As a result, ROC and AUC can be misleading as to the clinical utility of a test in low disease prevalence tested populations (defined as those with less than 1% rate of occurrences (incidence) per annum, or less than 10% cumulative prevalence over a specified time horizon).

A health economic utility function is an yet another means of measuring the performance and clinical value of a given test, consisting of weighting the potential categorical test outcomes based on actual measures of clinical and economic value for each. Health economic performance is closely related to accuracy, as a health economic utility function specifically assigns an economic value for the benefits of correct classification and the costs of misclassification of tested subjects. As a performance measure, it is not unusual to require a test to achieve a level of performance which results in an increase in health economic value per test (prior to testing costs) in excess of the target price of the test.

In general, alternative methods of determining diagnostic accuracy are commonly used for continuous measures, when a disease category has not yet been clearly defined by the relevant medical societies and practice of medicine, where thresholds for therapeutic use are not yet established, or where there is no existing gold standard for diagnosis of the pre-disease. For continuous measures of risk, measures of diagnostic accuracy for a calculated index are typically based on curve fit and calibration between the predicted continuous value and the actual observed values (or a historical index calculated value) and utilize measures such as R squared, Hosmer-Lemeshow P-value statistics and confidence intervals. It is not unusual for predicted values using such algorithms to be reported including a confidence interval (usually 90% or 95% CI) based on a historical observed cohort's predictions, as in the test for risk of future breast cancer recurrence commercialized by Genomic Health, Inc. (Redwood City, Calif.).

Various implementations of the subject matter described herein may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described herein may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The subject matter described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user may interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and the Internet.

The computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Other Embodiments

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

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Indian J Med Res 136: 289-291. -   Toleman M, Rolston K, Jones R, Timothy R (2004) Evolutionarily     Distinct Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa     Isolate from the United States. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 48: 329. -   Toleman M, Rolston K, Jones R, Walsh T (2003) Molecular and     Biochemical Characterization of OXA-45, an Extended-Spectrum Class     2d-β-Lactamase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrob Agents     Chemother 47: 2859-2863. -   Toleman M, Simm A, Murphy T, Gales A, Biedenbach D (2002) Molecular     characterization of SPM-1, A Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase Isolated in     Latin America: Report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance     Programme. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 50: 673-679. -   Vahaboglu H, Budak F, Kasap M, Gacar G, Torol S, Karadenizli A,     Kolayli F, Eroglu C (2006) High Prevalence of OXA-51-Yype class D     β-Lactamases Among Ceftazidime-Resistant Clinical lisolates of     Acinetobacter spp.: Co-Existence with OXA-58 in Multiple Centres. J     Antimicrob Chemother 58: 537-542. -   Walsh T, Toleman M, Poirel L, Nordmann P (2005)     Metallo-β-Lactamases: the Quiet before the Storm? Clin Microbiol Rev     18: 306-325. -   Yigit H, Queenan A, Anderson G, Domenech-Sanchez A, Biiddle J,     Steward C, Alberti S, Bush K, Tenover F (2001) Novel     Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing β-Lactamase, KPC-1, from a     Carbapenem-Resistant Strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrob     Agents Chemother 45: 151-1161. -   Yong D, Toleman M, Giske C, Cho H, Sudman K, Lee K, Walsh T (2009)     Characterization of a New Metallo-β-Lactamase Gene, blaNDM-1, and a     Novel Erythromycin Esterase Gene Carried on a Unique Genetic     Structure in Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 14 from India.     Antimicrob Agents Chemother 53: 5046-5054.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Specimen Handling

The MDRO test uses anal swabs collected using ESwabs™ from Copan or Becton Dickinson (BD). Collected ESwabs™ should be properly labeled, stored and transported to OpGen at room temperature (20-25 C) or 4 to 8 C. ESwabs™ should be tested within 48 hours of collection.

Example 2: PCR Primer and Probe Sequences

Exemplary primer and probe sequences useful in the methods of the invention include those listed below in Tables 2, 8 and 9. It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other primer and probe sequence may be utilized in practicing the claimed methods.

TABLE 2  Reagent or  Media r Sequence Internal GATTGCCACGCATTGAGCTAgcgagtcagcgataagcatgacgcgctttcaagc Amplification gtcgcgagtatgtgaaccaaggctccggacaggactatatacttgggtTTGATCTC Control GCCCCGACAAGAACGGGATTGACTGTTTGACActagctggtgttcggttcggtaa cggagaatctgtggggctatgtcactaatactttcgaaacgccccgtaccgatgcT GAACAAGTCGATGCAGGCTGGATGAGTGTGACGGAGTGTAactcgatgagttac ccgctaatcgaactgggcgagagatcccagcgctgatgcactcgatcccgaggcct gacccgacaTATCAGCTCAGACTAGAGCGGGCTGCGCATAAGCAAATGAC aattaaccactgtgtactcgttataacatctggcagttaaagtcgggagaatagga gccgcaatacacagtttaccgcatctagacctaacTGAGATACTGCCATAGACGAC T (SEQ ID NO: 1) kpc-FO GGAACCATTCGCTAAACTCGAAC (SEQ ID NO: 2) kpc-RO AATGAGCTGCACAGTGGGAA (SEQ ID NO: 3) ndm-FO CGGCCACACCAGTGACAATA (SEQ ID NO: 4) ndm-RO TGCTCAGTGTCGGCATCAC (SEQ ID NO: 5) vim-FO CCACGCATTCTCTAGAAGGAC (SEQ ID NO: 6) vim-RO GCTGACGGGACGTATACAAC (SEQ ID NO: 7) vim-FOb CCACGCACTCTCTAGAAGGAC (SEQ ID NO: 8) vim-ROb GCAGACGGGACGTACACAAC (SEQ ID NO: 9) IAC-FO GAACGGGATTGACTGTTTGACA (SEQ ID NO: 10) IAC-RO AGCCTGCATCGACTTGTTCA (SEQ ID NO: 11) oxa(A)-FO TGGTTGGGGATGGGATGTA (SEQ ID NO: 12) oxa(A)-RO TTTCGAACAGAGCTAGGTATTCC (SEQ ID NO: 13) oxa(B)-FO GCCGCGCAAATACAGAATAT (SEQ ID NO: 14) oxa(B)-RO ACCTTTTCTCGCCCTTCCAT (SEQ ID NO: 15) oxa(C)-FO AGCAAAGGAATGGCAAGAAAACA (SEQ ID NO: 16) oxa(C)-RO GCTTGGTTCGCCCGTTTAA (SEQ ID NO: 17) imp-FOe CC(Pu)GG(Pu)CACACTC(C/A)AGATAAC (SEQ ID NO: 18) imp-ROd GCCA(A/T)GCTTCTA(A/T)ATTTGCGTCA(Py) (SEQ ID NO: 19) vanA-FO AAATACGAGCCGTTATACATTGG (SEQ ID NO: 20) vanA-RO TTTATCCGGCGAGAGTACAG (SEQ ID NO: 21) ctx(A)-FO GCTGTGTTAATCAATGCCACAC (SEQ ID NO: 22) ctx(A)-RO CGTCACGCTGTTGTTAGGAA (SEQ ID NO: 23) ctx(B)-FO GCGACCTGGTTAACTACAATCC (SEQ ID NO: 24) ctx(B)-RO GCAATCAGCTTATTCATGGCAGTA (SEQ ID NO: 25) kpc-FI AGGACTTTGGCGGCTCCAT (SEQ ID NO: 26) kpc-RI CTCAGCGCGGTAACTTACAGTTG (SEQ ID NO: 27) ndm-FI GATCGACGGCACCGACAT (SEQ ID NO: 28) ndm-RI CGAGATTGCCGAGCGACTT (SEQ ID NO: 29) vim-FI GTGCGCTTCGGTCCAG (SEQ ID NO: 30) vim-RI CAGATTGTCGGTCGAATGC (SEQ ID NO: 31) vim-Rib TAAGTTGTCGGTCGAATGC (SEQ ID NO: 32) oxa(A)-FI ACCCACAAGTAGGCTGGTTA (SEQ ID NO: 33) oxa(A)-RI TTTCTAAGTTAAGGGAGAACGCTAC (SEQ ID NO: 34) oxa(B)-FI GTGCCAGCCTCTACATTT (SEQ ID NO: 35) oxa(B)-RI TCATTAATATCCGTTTTCTGGTTC (SEQ ID NO: 36) oxa(C)-FI AGTTGGAATGCTCACTTTACTGA (SEQ ID NO: 37) oxa(C)-RI GGTAAATCCTTGCTGCTTATTCTC (SEQ ID NO: 38) imp-FI GTAGTGGTTTGG(Py)T(Pu)CCTGAA (SEQ ID NO: 39) imp-RI CCGTACGGTTTAA(Py)AAA(Pu)CAACCA (SEQ ID NO: 40) vanA-FI AATTACGAAATCTGGTGTATGGAAAATGTG (SEQ ID NO: 41) vanA-RI CTGAATAGCAATTGTCGTTTTCCCATT (SEQ ID NO: 42) ctx(A)-FI AGTCT(G/T)CCTCCCGACTG (SEQ ID NO: 43) ctx(A)-RI GCAAACGGCGGACGTA (SEQ ID NO: 44) ctx(B)-FI TTGCGGAGAAACACGTTA (SEQ ID NO: 45) ctx(B)-RI GCTATACTGCAGCGCC (SEQ ID NO: 46) IAC-FI GCTGGTGTTCGGTTCGGTAA (SEQ ID NO: 47) IAC-RI CATCGGTACGGGGCGTTT (SEQ ID NO: 48) kpc-P TATCCATCGCGTACAC (SEQ ID NO: 49) ndm-P TCAAGGACAGCAAG (SEQ ID NO: 50) vim-Pd CAGCACCAGGATAG (SEQ ID NO: 51) vim-Pe CAGCACCGGGATAG (SEQ ID NO: 52) IAC-P CCACAGATTCTCCG (SEQ ID NO: 53) oxa(A)-P TTGAGGCTGAACAA (SEQ ID NO: 54) oxa(B)-P CCCTGATCGGATTG (SEQ ID NO: 55) oxa(C)-P CTACGCCCTGTGATT (SEQ ID NO: 56) imp-P CCGAATAATATTTTCCTT (SEQ ID NO: 57) imp-Pf CCGAATAAAATTTTCTT (SEQ ID NO: 58) vanA-Pc CCGCGCAAGGTTTTTC (SEQ ID NO: 59) ctx(A)-P CGGCAAGTTTTTGC (SEQ ID NO: 60) ctx(B)-P CCAAGCTCAGCCA (SEQ ID NO: 61)

Example 3: Quality Control

Controls for MDRO Assay are used at 3 different levels. First one represents a set of controls (NEC, PEC, NTC and the Internal Amplification Control (IAC) reaction) that are required to qualify a given assay run and are defined as “Assay Run controls”. These controls are evaluated first for any given assay run and once accepted, the second level of controls (NEC, PEC, and NTC for each target) are assessed for each of the MDRO targets in the Assay run. This second level of controls qualifies a given target and is defined as “Target Controls”. Once a given target is accepted, results for each sample are evaluated against a third level that represents an Internal Amplification Control (IAC) for each and every sample to evaluate inhibition of amplification and/or detection.

The positive extraction control (PEC) monitors for any reagent failure during RT-PCR. The negative extraction control (NEC) detects reagent or environment contamination by any target DNA through the sample acquisition, sample DNA, extraction, and through RT-PCR. The NTC detect reagents or environment contamination by any target DNA. The IAC controls for specimen inhibition.

Example 4: Sample Enrichment

Sample Enrichment Master Mix Preparation

Prepare three plate maps and calculate the working assay reagents for the number of specimens and controls being tested for each of the sample enrichment plates. Each plate must contain a minimum of one specimen, one positive extraction control (PEC), one negative extraction control (NEC), and one negative template control (NTC).

Sample Enrichment Plate Preparation

For sample enrichment plate containing assay reagent mix A: Load 9 μl of DNA template to each well according to plate map. Load 9 μl of PEC to the PEC well(s) and load 9 μl of NEC to the NEC well(s). Load 10 μl of molecular grade water to the no template control (NTC wells(s)). For sample enrichment plates containing master mix B and C: Load 10 μl of sample DNA template to each sample well according to plate map. Load 10 μl of molecular grade water to the no template control NTC wells(s).

Example 5: Amplification

Internal Amplification Control

Prepare an internal amplification control solution that contains 100 copies/μl of the internal amplification control sequence plus carrier calf thymus DNA in water.

To the sample enrichment plate containing assay reagent mix A, add 1 μl of internal amplification control (100 copies/μl) to all wells containing specimens, PEC, and NEC. The NTC does not receive IAC.

Verify and run cycling conditions according to Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 .Program Temperature No. of Time Name (° C.) Cycles (min) UDG 50 1  2.00 Pre-Incubation 95 1 10.00 Amplification — 25 — — 95 — 00:15 — 61 — 01:00 Cooling  4 — ∞

Exonuclease I preparation

Calculate the working exonuclease I solution for the number of specimens and controls being pooled from the sample enrichment plates.

Prepare working exonuclease I solution according to the calculations.

Pooling Sample Enrichment Plates

Remove the three sample enrichment plates from the thermocylcers.

Transfer 5 μl from each well of the three plates to the 96-well plate containing exonuclease I working solution. Be sure to maintain well location during transfer. A1 from each of the sample enrichment plates gets pooled to A1 of the pooling/exonuclease I plate.

Exonuclease I Digestion

Load plate onto the thermocycler.

Verify and run cycling conditions according to Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Program Temperature No. of Time Name (° C.) Cycles (min) Digestion 37 1 30:00 Inactivation 80 1 15:00 Cooling 4 1 ∞

BioMark Sample Master Mix Preparation

Prepare plate map and calculate the working master mix for the number of specimens and controls being tested.

Prepare working BioMark Sample Master Mix for 210 samples according to Table 5 below.

TABLE 5 Starting Amount Needed Final Component Concentration for 210 reactions Concentration PCR Master Mix   2x 630 1x GE Sample  20x 63 1x Loading Reagent Magnesium 8.33x 151.2 1x Chloride

Aliquot 105 μl of BioMark sample master mix into each well of a single strip tube.

Using a multichannel pipette load 4.02 μl into the appropriate wells of two clean 96-well plates.

Example 6: Detection

Prepare plate map and calculate working assay solutions (Table 6).

TABLE 6 Component KPC Assay kpc-FI kpc-RI kpc-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water NDM Assay ndm-FI ndm-RI ndm-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water VIM(A) Assay vim-FI vim-RI vim-Pd 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water VIM(B) Assay vim-FI vim-Rib vim-Pd 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water VIM(C) Assay vim-FI vim-RI vim-Pe 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water IC Assay IAC-FI IAC-RI IAC-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water OXA A Assay oxa(A)-FI oxa(A)-RI oxa(A)-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water OXA B Assay oxa(B)-FI oxa(B)-RI oxa(B)-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water OXA C Assay oxa(C)-FI oxa(C)-RI oxa(C)-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water IMP(A) Assay imp-FI imp-RI imp-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water IMP(B) Assay imp-FI imp-RI imp-Pf 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water Van A Assay vanA-FI vanA-RI vanA-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water CTX-M(A) Assay ctx(A)-FI ctx(A)-RI ctx(A)-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water CTX-M(B) Assay ctx(B)-FI ctx(B)-RI Ctx(B)-P 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water . L R 2x Assay Loading Reagent Water

Sample Dilution

Post exonuclease I digestion remove plate from thermocycler.

Add 54 μl of 1× Tris EDTA to each well of the exdonuclease plate and mix.

BioMark Sample Plate Preparation

Retrieve the 96-well plate containing the previously made sample master mix and the 96-well plate containing the diluted sample.

Transfer using a multichannel pipette 1.98 μl of diluted sample to the corresponding well in the sample master mix plate (i.e. well A1 from the diluted sample plate is transferred to A1 in the sample master mix plate.

Mix each sample.

Loading the BioMark Chip

Prepare plate map for the BioMark Chip.

Remove BioMark chip from package

Inject control line fluid into the accumulator 2 on the chip. Be sure to use syringes labeled 192.24 with 150 μl of control line fluid.

Transfer 3 μl from each well of the sample master mix plate to the appropriate sample inlet on the 192.24 BioMark Chip.

Transfer 3 μl of the working assay solution for each assay to the appropriate assay inlet on the 192.24 BioMark Chip.

Pipette 150 μl of actuation fluid into the P1 well on the chip.

Pipette 150 μl of pressure fluid into the P2 and P3 wells on the chip.

Pipette 20 μl of pressure fluid into the P4 and P5 wells on the chip.

If necessary, blot the carrier surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Remove and discard the blue protective film from the bottom of the chip.

Open the tray on the IFC controller RX by selecting eject on the touchscreen.

Place the chip in the controller tray with the barcode facing out. Select close tray on the touch screen.

Using the IFC controller RX software, run the Load Mix (169×) script to load the samples and assays into the chip.

The IFC controller will display a run screen giving an estimated time of completion.

BioMark HD Loading and Operation

Remove loaded Biomark Chip from the IFC controller Rx.

Analyze the BioMark Chip using the following program with other appropriate instrument settings and methods of data analysis.

TABLE 7 Program Temperature No. of Time Name (° C.) Cycles (min) Pre-Incubation 95 1 10.00 Amplification — 30 — — 95 — 00:15 — 60 — 01:00

TABLE 8  Primer probe design Gene FO FO RO Fi Ri Probe Probe Subtypes Assay Name Sequence RO Name Sequence Fi Name Sequence Ri Name Sequence Name Sequence Covered* Amplicon Kpc1a kpc1a- GGAAC kpc1a-RO AATGA kpc1a-Fi AGGAC kpc1a-Ri CTCAG kpc1a- TATCC KPC-1 GGAACCAT FO CATTC GCTGC TTTGG CGCGG pb ATCGC thru TCGCTAAA GCTAA ACAGT CGGCT TAACT GTACA KPC-16 CTCGAACA ACTCG GGGAA CCAT TACAG C GGACTTTG AAC (SEQ ID (SEQ ID TTG (SEQ ID GCGGCTCC (SEQ ID NO: 3) NO: 26) (SEQ ID NO: 49) ATCGGTGT NO: 2) NO: 27) GTACGCGA TGGATACC GGCTCAGG CGCAACTG TTAAGTTA CCGCGCTG AGGAGCGC TTCCCACT GTGCAGCT CATT (SEQ ID NO:  68) Ndm1c ndm1c-  CGGCC ndm1c- TGCTC ndm1c-Fi  GATCG ndm1c-Ri  CGAGA Ndm1c-  TCAAG NDM-1 CGGCCACA FO ACACC RO AGTGT ACGGC TTGCC pd GACAG thru 9 CCAGTGAC AGTGA CGGCA ACCGA GAGCG CAAG AATATCAC CAATA TCAC CAT ACTT (SEQ ID CGTTGGGA (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 50) TCGACGGC NO: 4) NO: 5) NO: 28) NO: 29) ACCGACAT CGCTTTTG GTGGCTGC CTGATCAA GGACAGCA AGGGCCAA GTCGCTCG GCAATCTC GGTGATGC CGACACTG AGCA (SEQ ID NO:  69) Vim2b vim2b- CCACG vim2b-RO GCTGA vim2b-Fi GTGCG vim2b-Ri CAGAT Vim2b- CAGCA VIM-1, CCACGCAT (1st FO CATTC CGGGA CTTCG TGTCG pd CCAGG 4, 12, 14, TCTCTAGA assay) TCTAG CGTAT GTCCA GTCGA ATAG 19, 26, AGGACTCT AAGGA ACAAC G ATGC (SEQ ID 27, 28, CATCGAGC C (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 51) 29, 32, GGGGACGC (SEQ ID NO: 7) NO: 30) NO: 31) 33, 34, AGTGCGCT NO: 6) 35, 37 TCGGTCCA (one GTAGAGCT mismatc CTTCTATC h for 5,  CTGGTGCT 2538) GCGGCATT CGACCGAC AATCTGGT TGTATACG TCCCGTCA GC (SEQ ID NO:  74) Vim2b vim2b- CCACG vim2b- GCAGA vim2b-Fi GTGCG vim2b- TAAGT Vim2b- CAGCA VIM-2, CCACGCAC (2nd FOb CACTC ROb CGGGA CTTCG Rib TGTCG pd CCAGG 3, 6, 8, 9, TCTCTAGA assay) TCTAG CGTAC GTCCA GTCGA ATAG 10, 11, AGGACTCT AAGGA ACAAC G ATGC (SEQ ID 15, 16, CATCGAGC C (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 51) 17, 18, GGGGACGC (SEQ ID NO: 9) NO: 30) NO: 32) 23, 24, AGTGCGCT NO: 8) 31, 36, TCGGTCCA 37, 38 GTAGAGCT CTTCTATC CTGGTGCT GCGGCATT CGACCGAC AACTTAGT TGTGTACG TCCCGTCT GC (SEQ ID NO:  75) Vim2b vim2b- CCACG vim2b-RO GCTGA vim2b-Fi GTGCG vim2b-Ri CAGAT Vim2b- CAGCA VIM-5, CCACGCAC (3rd FOb CACTC CGGGA CTTCG TGTCG pe CCGGG 25, 38 TCTCTAGA assay) TCTAG CGTAT GTCCA GTCGA ATAG AGGACTCT AAGGA ACAAC G ATGC (SEQ ID CATCGAGC C (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 52) GGGGACGC (SEQ ID NO:7) NO: 30) NO: 31) AGTGCGCT NO: 8) TCGGTCCA GTAGAGCT CTTCTATC CCGGTGCT GCGGCATT CGACCGAC AATCTGGT TGTATACG TCCCGTCA GC (SEQ ID NO:  76) Interal IAC60534- GAACG IAC60534- AGCCT IAC60534- GCTGG IAC60534- CATCG IAC60534- CCACA GAACGGG Amp FO GGATT RO GCATC Fi TGTTC Ri GTACG p GATTC ATTGACTG Control GACTG GACTT GGTTC GGGCG TCCG TTTGACAC TTTGA GTTCA GGTAA TTT (SEQ ID TAGCTGGT CA (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 53) GTTCGGTT (SEQ ID NO: 11) NO: 47) NO: 48) CGGTAACG NO: 10) GAGAATCT GTGGGGCT ATGTCACT AATACTTT CGAAACGC CCCGTACC GATGCTGA ACAAGTCG ATGCAGGC T (SEQ ID NO:  65) Oxa22c OXA22c- TGGTT OXA22c- TTTCG OXA22c- ACCCA OXA22c- TTTCTA Oxa22c-p TTGAG OXA-51,  TGGTTGGG FO GGGGA RO AACAG Fi CAAGT Ri AGTTA GCTGA 64, 65,  GATGGGAT TGGGA AGCTA AGGCT AGGGA ACAA 66, 67,  GTAGACCC TGTA GGTAT GGTTA GAACG (SEQ ID 68, 69,  ACAAGTAG (SEQ ID TCC (SEQ ID CTAC NO: 54) 70, 75(?), GCTGGTTA NO: 12) (SEQ ID NO: 33) (SEQ ID 76, 77,  ACTGGATG NO: 13) NO: 34) 78, 79(?), GGTTGTTC 8082, AGCCTCAA 83, 84,  GGAAATAT 86, 87, TGTAGCGT 88 89, TCTCCCTT 90, 91, AACTTAGA 92, 93, AATGAAAA 94, 95, AAGGAATA 98, 99, CCTAGCTC 100, TGTTCGAA 106, 107 A 108 109,   (SEQ ID NO: 110 111, 72) 1 Oxa24a OXA24a- GCCGC OXA24a- ACCTT OXA24a- GTGCC OXA24a- TCATT Oxa24a-p CCCTG OXA-23, GCCGCGCA FO GCAAA RO TTCTC Fi AGCCT Ri AATAT ATCGG 49, 73, AATACAGA TACAG GCCCT CTACA CCGTT ATTG 146, 165, ATATGTGC AATAT TCCAT TTT TTCTG (SEQ ID 167, 168, CAGCCTCT (SEQ ID (SEQ ID (SEQ ID GTTC NO: 55) 169, 170, ACATTTAA NO: 14) NO: 15) NO: 35) (SEQ ID 171, 225, AATGTTGA NO: 36) 239 (one  ATGCCCTG mismatch ATCGGATT for 27) GGAGAACC AGAAAAC GGATATTA ATGAAATA TTTAAATG GAAGGGC GAGAAAA GGT (SEQ ID NO:  70) Oxa48(19) Oxa48  AGCAA Oxa48 GCTTG Oxa48 AGTTG Oxa48  GGTAA Oxa48 CTACG OXA-48, AGCAAAG (19)- AGGAA (19)-RO GTTCG (19)-Fi GAATG (19)-Ri ATCCT (19)-pc CCCTG 162, 163, GAATGGCA FO TGGCA CCCGT CTCAC TGCTG TGATT 181, 199, AGAAAAC AGAAA TTAA TTTACT CTTATT (SEQ ID 204, 232, AAAAGTTG ACA (SEQ ID GA CTC NO: 56) 244, 245  GAATGCTC (SEQ ID NO: 17) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID and 247 ACTTTACT NO: 16) NO: 37) NO: 38) GAACATAA ATCACAGG GCGTAGTT GTGCTCTG GAAATGAG AATAAGCA GCAAGGAT TTACCAAT AATCTTAA ACGGGCGA ACCAAGC (SEQ ID NO:  71) VanA- VANA- AAATA VANA- TTTATC VANA- AATTA VANA- CTGAA VanAf- CCGCG AAATACGA FJ866609   FJ866609- CGAGC FJ866609-  CGGCG FJ866609-  CGAAA FJ866609-  TAGCA pc CAAGG GCCGTTAT FO CGTTA RO AGAGT Fi TCTGG R ATTGT TTTTTC ACATTGGA TACAT ACAG TGTAT CGTTTT (SEQ ID ATTACGAA TGG (SEQ ID GGAAA CCCAT NO: 59) ATCTGGTG (SEQ ID NO: 21) ATGTG T TATGGAAA NO: 20) (SEQ ID (SEQ ID ATGTGCGA NO: 41) NO: 42) AAAACCTT GCGCGGAA TGGGAAAA ACGACAAT TGCTATTC AGCTGTAC TCTCGCCG GATAAA (SEQ ID NO:  73) Imp2b Imp2b- CC(Pu)G  Imp2b- GCCA(A/ Imp2b-Fic  GTAGT Imp2b- CCGTA Imp2b- CCGAA IMP-1, 3, CCGGGACA (1st FOe G(Pu)CA  ROd T)GCTT GGTTT Rie CGGTT p TAATA 4, 6, 10, CACTCCAG assay) CACTC CTA(A/ GG(Py)T TAA(Py) TTTTCC 25, 26,  ATAACGTA (C/A)AG T)ATTT (Pu)CCT AAA(Pu) TT 30, 34,  GTGGTTTG ATAAC GCGTC GAA CAACC (SEQ ID 38, 40,  GTTGCCTG (SEQ ID A(Py) (SEQ ID A NO: 57) 42 AAAGGAA NO: 18) (SEQ ID NO: 39) (SEQ ID AATATTAT NO: 19) NO: 40) TCGGTGGT TGTTTTTA TTAAACCG TACGGTTT AGGCAATT TGGGTGAC GCAAATAT AGAAGCTT GGC (SEQ ID NO:  66) Imp2b Imp2b- CC(Pu)G Imp2b- GCCA(A/ Imp2b-Fic  GTAGT Imp2b- CCGTA Imp2b- CCGAA IMP-2, 8, CCGGGGCA (2nd FOe G(Pu)CA ROd T)GCTT GGTTT Rie CGGTT pf TAAAA 13, 14, CACTCAAG assay) CACTC CTA(A/ GG(Py)T TAA(Py) TTTTCT 16, 18, ATAACGTA (C/A)AG T)ATTT (Pu)CCT AAA(Pu) T 19, 20, GTGGTTTG ATAAC GCGTC GAA CAACC (SEQ ID 24, 32, GTTACCTG (SEQ ID A(Py) (SEQ ID A NO: 58) 33 AAAAGAA NO: 18) (SEQ ID NO: 39) (SEQ ID AATTTTAT NO: 19) NO: 40) TCGGTGGT TGTTTTTG TTAAACCG GACGGTCT TGGTAATT TGGGTGAC GCAAATTT AGAAGCTT GGC (SEQ ID NO:  67) Ctx-M-1c ctx1c- GCTGT ctx1c-RO CGTCA ctx1c-Fi  (G/T) ctx1c -Ri  GCAAA Ctx1c-p CGGCA CTX-M- GCTGTGTT FO GTTAA CGCTG AGTCT( CGGCG AGTTT 1, 3, 11,  AATCAATG TCAAT TTGTT G/T)CC GACGT TTGC 12, 15, CCACACCC GCCAC AGGAA TCCCG A (SEQ ID 22, 23, AGTCT(G/T) AC (SEQ ID ACTG (SEQ ID NO: 60) 28, 32, CCTCCCGA (SEQ ID NO: 23) (SEQ ID NO: 44) 33, 36, CTGCCGCT NO: 22) NO: 43) 42, 52, CTAATTCG 54, 55, GCAAGTTT 57, 58, TTGCTGTA 60 61, CGTCCGCC 64, 69, GTTTTGCG 71, 72, CATACAGC 79, 82, GGCACACT 88 96, TCCTAACA 101, 103, ACAGCGTG 107, 108, ACG 109, 114,   (SEQ ID NO: 117, 123, 63) 132, 133, Ctx-M-5a Ctx5a- GCGAC Ctx5a-RO GCAAT Ctx5a-Fi TTGCG Ctx5a-Ri GCTAT Ctx5a-p  CCAAG CTX-M- GCGACCTG FO CTGGT CAGCT GAGAA ACTGC CTCAG 2, 5, 20, GTTAACTA TAACT TATTC ACACG AGCGC CCA 31, 43, CAATCCCA ACAAT ATGGC TTA C (SEQ ID 44, 56, TTGCGGAG CC AGTA (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 61) 59, 76, AAACACGT (SEQ ID (SEQ ID NO: 45) NO: 46) 77, 92, TAACGGCA NO: 24) NO: 25) 95, 97, CGATGACG 131 CTGGCTGA GCTTGGCG CAGCGGCT GCAGTATA GCGACAAT ACTGCCAT GAATAAGC TGATTGC (SEQ ID NO:  64)

TABLE 9  gBlock design A B 1 gBlock Name 2 Kpc1a/ GGAACCATTCGCTAAACTCGAACaggactttggcggctccatcggtgtgtacgcgatggataccggctcaggcgcaactgtaagttaccgcgctgaggagcgc Oxa22c/ TTCCCACTGTGCAGCTCATTTGGTTGGGGATGGGATGTAGACCCACAAGTAGGCTGGTTAACTGGATGGGTTGT CtxM1c TCAGCCTCAAGGAAATATTGTAGCGTTCTCCCTTAACTTAGAAATGAAAAAAGGAATACCTAGCTCTGTTCGAA AGCTGTGTTAATCAATGCCACACccagtctgcctcccgactgccgctctaattcggcaagtttttgctgtacgtccgccgtttgcgcatacagcggcacacTTCC TAACAACAGCGTGACG (SEQ ID NO: 77) 3 Ndm1b(1)/ GGATCAAGCAGGAGATCAACCtgccggtcgcgctggcggtggtgactcacgcgcatcaggacaagatgggcggtatggacgcgctgcatgcggcggggattgc Oxa24a/ gacTTATGCCAATGCGTTGTCGAGCCGCGCAAATACAGAATATgtgccagcctctacatttaaaatgttgaatgccctgatcggattggagaacca CtxM5a gaaaacggatattaatgaaatatttaaATGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGGTGCGACCTGGTTAACTACAATCCcattgcggagaaacacgttaacgg cacgatgacgctggctgagcttggcgcagcggcgctgcagtatagcgacaaTACTGCCATGAATAAGCTGATTGC (SEQ ID NO: 78) 4 Ndm1c/ CGGCCACACCAGTGACAATAtcaccgttgggatcgacggcaccgacatcgchttggtggctgcctgatcaaggacagcaaggccaagtcgctcggcaatctcgG Oxa24a/ TGATGCCGACACTGAGCAGCCGCGCAAATACAGAATATgtgccagcctctacatttaaaatgttgaatgccctgatcggattggagaaccagaaaa CtxM5a  cggatattaatgaaatatttaaATGGAAGGGCGAGAAAAGGTGCGACCTGGTTAACTACAATCCcattgcggagaaacacgttaacggcacgat gacgctggctgagcttggcgcagcggcgctgcagtatagcgacaaTACTGCCATGAATAAGCTGATTGC (SEQ ID NO: 79) 5 Vim2b(1)/ CCACGCATTCTCTAGAAGGACtctcatcgagcggggacgcagtgcgcttcggtccagtagagctcttctatcctggtgctgcgcattcgaccgacaatctgGTTG Oxa48(19)/ TATACGTCCCGTCAGCAGCAAAGGAATGGCAAGAAAACAaaagaggaatgctcactttactgaacataaatcacagggcgtagttgtgctctgga Tem2c atgagaataagcagcaaggatttaccaataatcTTAAACGGGCGAACCAAGCCACTGGGGCCAGATGGTAAgccctcccgtatcgtagttatctaca cgacggggagtcaggcaactatggatgaacgaaatagacagatcgctgagaTAGGTGCCTCACTGATTAAGCATT (SEQ ID NO: 80) 6 VanA-F/ AAATACGAGCCGTTATACATTGGaattacgaaatctggtgtatggaaaatgtgcgaaaaaccttgcgcggaatgggaaaacgacaattgctattcagCTGTA Shv1a CTCTCGCCGGATAAAGCCGATGAACGCTTTCCCatgatgagcacattaaagtagtgctctgcggcgcagtgctggcgcgggtggatgccggtgacga acagctggagcgaaagatccacTATCGCCAGCAGGATCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 81) 7 Imp2b(1)/ CCGGGACACACTCCAGATAACGTAGTGGTTTGGTTGCCTGAAAGGAAAATATTATTCGGTGGTTGTTTTATTAA VanB1c(1) ACCGTACGGTTTAGGCAATTTGGGTGACGCAAATATAGAAGCTTGGCCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAGCCG GCACGGTCAGGTTCGTCCTTTGGCTTAACCAAAGTAAACGGTACGGAAGAACTTAACGCTGCGATAGAAGCGG CAGGACAATATGATGGAAAAATCTTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGG (SEQ ID NO: 82) 8 Ndm1b(2)/ GGATCAAGCAGGAGATCAACCtgccggtcgcgctggcggtggtgactcacgcgcatcaggacaagatgggcggTATGAACGCGCTGCATGCg Imp2b(2)/ gcggggattgcgacTTATGCCAATGCGTTGTCGACCGGGGCACACTCAAGATAACGTAGTGGTTTGGTTACCTGAAAAG VanB1c(2) CCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAGCCGGCACGGTCAGGTTCGTCCTTTGGCGTAACCAAAGTAAACAGTACGG AAGAACTAAACGCTGCGATAGAAGCAGCAGGACAATATGATGGAAAAATCTTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGG (SEQ ID NO: 83) 9 Ndm1b(3)/ GGATCAAGCAGGAGATCAACCtgccggtcgcgctggcggtggtgactcacgcgcatcaggacaagatgggcggTATGGGCGCGCTGCATGCg Imp2b(3) gcggggattgcgacTTATGCCAATGCGTTGTCGACCAGGTCACACTCAAGATAACCTAGTGGTTTGGTTGCCTGAAAGT AAAATTTTATTCGGTGGTTGCTTTATTAAACCTCACGGTCTTGGCAATTTAGGTGACGCAAATTTAGAAGCTTGG C (SEQ ID NO: 84) 10 Vim2b(2)/ CCACGCACTCTCTAGAAGGACTCTCATCGAGCGGGGACGCAGTGCGCTTCGGTCCAGTAGAGCTCTTCTATCCT VanB1c(2) GGTGCTGCGCATTCGACCGACAACTTAGTTGTGTACGTCCCGTCTGCCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAGCCGG CACGGTCAGGTTCGTCCTTTGGCGTAACCAAAGTAAACAGTACGGAAGAACTAAACGCTGCGATAGAAGCAGC AGGACAATATGATGGAAAAATCTTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGG (SEQ ID NO: 85) 11 Ndm1b(2)/ GGATCAAGCAGGAGATCAACCTGCCGGTCGCGCTGGCGGTGGTGACTCACGCGCATCAGGACAAGATGGGCGG Imp2b(2) TATGAACGCGCTGCATGCGGCGGGGATTGCGACTTATGCCAATGCGTTGTCGACCGGGGCACACTCAAGATAAC GTAGTGGTTTGGTTACCTGAAAAGAAAATTTTATTCGGTGGTTGTTTTGTTAAACCGGACGGTCTTGGTAATTTG GGTGACGCAAATTTAGAAGCTTGGC (SEQ ID NO: 86) 12 Vim2b(3)/ CCACGCACTCTCTAGAAGGACTCTCATCGAGCGGGGACGCAGTGCGCTTCGGTCCAGTAGAGCTCTTCTATCCC IAC60529 GGTGCTGCGCATTCGACCGACAATCTGGTTGTATACGTCCCGTCAGCGGATGAGTGTGACGGAGTGTAACTCGA TGAGTTACCCGCTAATCGAACTGGGCGAGAGATCCCAGCGCTGATGCACTCGATCCCGAGGCCTGACCCGACAT ATCAGCTCAGACTAGAGCGG (SEQ ID NO: 87) 13 Oxa48_19_g atgcAGCAAAGGAATGGCAAGAAAACAaaagaggaatgctcactttactgaacataaatcacagggcgtagttgtgctctggaatgagaataagcagcaaggat ttaccaataatcTTAAACGGGCGAACCAAGCatgc (SEQ ID NO: 88) 14 Kpc1a_1b_ CAACCTCGTCGCGGAACCATTCGCTAAACTCGAACAGGACTTTGGCGGCTCCATCGGTGTGTACGCGATGGATA 1c_g CCGGCTCAGGCGCAACTGTAAGTTACCGCGCTGAGGAGCGCTTCCCACTGTGCAGCTCATTCAAGGGCTTTCTT GCTGCCGCTGTGCTGGCTCGCAGCCAGCAGCAGCAGGCCGGCTTGCTGGACACACCCATCCGTTACGGCAAAA ATGCGCTGGTTCCGTGGTCACCCATCTCGGAAAAATATCTGACAACAGGCATGACGGTGGCGGAGCTGTCCGCG GCCGCCGTGCAATACAGTGATAACGCCGCCGCCAATTTGTTGCTGAAGGAGTTGGGCGGCCCGGCCGGGCTGA CGGCCTTCATGCGCTCTATCGGCGATACCACGTTCCGTCTGGACCGCTGGGAGCTGGAGCTGAACTCCGCCATC CCAGGCGATGCGCGCGATACCTCATCGCCGCGCGCCGTGACGGAAAGCTTACAAAAACTGACACTGGGCTCTG CACTGGCTGCGCCGCAGCGGCAGCAGTTTGTTGATTGGCTAAAGGGAAACACGACCGGCAACCACCGCATCCG CGCGGCGGTGCCGGCAGACTGGGCAGTCGGAGACAAAACCGGAACCTGCGGAGTGTATGGCACGGCAAATGA CTA (SEQ ID NO: 89) 15 Oxa-24a_g ATAAAAAAATTAATTTGTATGGTAATGCTCTAAGCCGCGCAAATACAGAATATGTGCCAGCCTCTACATTTAAA ATGTTGAATGCCCTGATCGGATTGGAGAACCAGAAAACGGATATTAATGAAATATTTAAATGGAAGGGCGAGA AAAGGTCATTTACCACTTGGGAAAAAGACATGACACTAGGAGAAGCC (SEQ ID NO: 90) 16 Oxa-22c_g CAATCCATGCTATTCATAGAAGAAAAGAATGGAAACAAAATATACGCAAAAAGTGGTTGGGGATGGGATGTAA ACCCACAAGTAGGCTGGTTAACTGGATGGGTTGTTCAGCCTCAAGGGAATATTGTAGCGTTCTCCCTTAACTTA GAAATGAAAAAAGGAATACCTAGCTCTGTTCGAAAAGAGATTACTTATAAAAGCTTAGAACAATTAGGTATTTT ATAG (SEQ ID NO: 91) 17 VANA  TAAAATCTGCAATAGAGATAGCCGCTAACATTAATAAAGAAAAATACGAGCCGTTATACATTGGAATTACGAA FJ866609_g ATCTGGTGTATGGAAAATGTGCGAAAAACCTTGCGCGGAATGGGAAAACGACAATTGCTATTCAGCTGTACTCT CGCCGGATAAAAAAATGCACGGATTACTTGTTAAAAAGAACCATGAATATGAAATCAACCATGTT (SEQ ID NO: 92) 18 VANB1c_g GATAAAGGTGACAAGCCGGAGACGGGTGCGCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAGCCGGCACGGTCAGGTTCGTC CTTTGGCTTAACCAAAGTAAACGGTACGGAAGAACTTAACGCTGCGATAGAAGCGGCAGGACAATATGATGGA AAAATCTTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGGGCTGTGAGGTCGGCTGTGCGGTTATGGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 93) 19 VANB1C- GAAAAAGGTGACAAACCGGAGGCGAGGACGCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAGCCGGCACGGTCAGGTTCGT Rib-g CCTTTGGCGTAACCAAAGTAAACAGTACGGAAGAACTAAACGCTGCGATAGAAGCAGCAGGACAATATGATGG AAAAATCTTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGGGCTGTGAGGTCGGCTGCGCGGTCATGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 94) 20 OXA22c atgcTGGTTGGGGATGGGATGTAracccacaagtaggctggttaactggatgggttgttcagcctcaaggaaatattgtagcgttctcccttaacttagaaatgaaaaaa GGAATACCTAGCTCTGTTCGAAAatgc (SEQ ID NO: 95) 21 OXA24a atgcGCCGCGCAAATACAGAATATgtgccagcctctacatttaaaatgttgaatgccctgatcggattggagaaccagaaaacggatattaatgaaatatttaaATG GAAGGGCGAGAAAAGGTatgc (SEQ ID NO: 96) 22 VANA_ atgcAAATACGAGCCGTTATACATTGGaattacgaaatctggtgtatggaaaatgtgcgaaaaaccttgcgcggaatgggaaaacgacaattgctattcagCTG FJ866609 TACTCTCGCCGGATAAAatgc (SEQ ID NO: 97) 23 VANB1c atgcCTTACCTACCCTGTCTTTGTGAAgccggcacggtcaggttcgtcctttggcgtaaccaaagtaaac ggtacggaagaacttaacgctgcgatagaagcggc aggacaatatgatggaaaaatctTAATTGAGCAAGCGATTTCGGatgc (SEQ ID NO: 98) 24 vim2b-a atgcCTGCGCACTCTCTAAAAGCGCTCTCCTCTAGTGGAGATGTGGTGCGCTTCGGTCCCGTAGAGGTTTTCTATC CTGGTGCTGCGCATTCGGGCGACAATCTTGTGGTATACGTGCCGGCCGTatgc (SEQ ID NO: 99) 25 vim2b-b atgcCCACGCACTCTCTAGAAGGACTCTCATCGAGCGGGGACGCGGTGCGCTTCGGTCCAGTAGAACTCTTCTATC CTGGTGCTGCGCATTCGACCGACAACTTAGTTGTGTACGTCCCGTCTGCatgc (SEQ ID NO: 100) 26 ndm1b atgcGGATCAAGCAGGAGATCAACCtgccggtcgcgctggcggtggtgactcacgcgcatcaggacaagatgggcggtatggacgcgctgcatgcggcgggg attgcgacTTATGCCAATGCGTTGTCGAatgc (SEQ ID NO: 101) 27 IAC GATTGCCACGCATTGAGCTAgcgagtcagcgataagcatgacgcgctttcaagcgtcgcgagtatgtgaaccaaggctccggacaggactatatacttgggtTTG ATCTCGCCCCGACAAGAACGGGATTGACTGTTTGACActagctggtgttcggttcggtaacggagaatctgtggggctatgtcactaatactttcgaaa cgccccgtaccgatgcTGAACAAGTCGATGCAGGCTGGATGAGTGTGACGGAGTGTAactcgatgagttacccgctaatcgaactgggcgaga gatcccagcgctgatgcactcgatcccgaggcctgacccgacaTATCAGCTCAGACTAGAGCGGGCTGCGCATAAGCAAATGACaattaacca ctgtgtactcgttataacatctggcagttaaagtcgggagaataggagccgcaatacacagtttaccgcatctagacctaacTGAGATACTGCCATAGACGACT (SEQ ID NO: 1)

Example 6: Testing Additional Genes—the “Resistome” Test

The methods of the present invention may include detecting MDRO-associated genes in combination with detecting a broad number of other genes that together make up the “resistome” of organisms, or the collection of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, also referred to as The Resistome Test. See FIG. 5 and Table 1.

The Resistome Test can be used by a clinician to help determine which antibiotics should be used based on Resistome test result of the patient sample, either because of the presence of an individual resistance gene or a combination of resistance genes. This ability to stratify genotype is also very specific and reproducible. Organism Resistome profiles can also be matched with actual Antibiotic Susceptibility Test (AST) data. When patients with matching Resistome patterns are found their similarity or lack of similarity and antibiotic resistance can potentially be inferred from this information.

Exemplary primer and probe sequences useful in the methods of the invention for performing The Resistome Test include those listed below in Table 10. It is readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other primer and probe sequence may be utilized in practicing the claimed methods.

TABLE 10 Assay Name Forward Primer Sequence Reverse Primer Sequence Probe Sequence Gene Subtypes Covered ACC-1 GATGAGCCAGTGCACGKSAATA GTCGCTGGAGGTGGTTTTGAT TAAGCTTCGTTACCCA ACC-1, 2, 4 (SEQ ID NO: 102) (SEQ ID NO: 103) (SEQ ID NO: 104) ACC-3 TCGCTGGATAAAAGCATTAGCC TGCGTTCCCGCATTCAG TTCCAGAACTGCGC ACC-3 (SEQ ID NO: 105) (SEQ ID NO: 106) (SEQ ID NO: 107) ACT-1 CCATAACGACGCGGGTCT TGCGCCTCTTCCGYTTT TCCAGCTTGAGCGG ACT-1-4, 6, 10, 13 (SEQ ID NO: 108) (SEQ ID NO: 109) (SEQ ID NO: 110) ACT-5 CGCTGGCGGTCAAACCTTC CTTAAGGACCCGCKTCGTCAT CTWTGAGCAGGCCA ACT-5, 7, 14-21, 23, 35 (SEQ ID NO: 111) (SEQ ID NO: 112) (SEQ ID NO: 113) BEL-1 CCCATGTCCATGGCACAGACT GCTGCCCCTTGGATTTATATGT TCTCCAAAAATCAGCT BEL-1, 2, 3 (SEQ ID NO: 114) CAAC (SEQ ID NO: 116) (SEQ ID NO: 115) BES-1 GGTGAGGCTCTATCCTATCCAGA GCGTCCAGGCGCTGAA TCTCCCAACCCCTG BES-1 C (SEQ ID NO: 118) (SEQ ID NO: 119) (SEQ ID NO: 117) CFE-1 GTTACTGGCGTATTGGCGATATG GGCTTTCACCGGCCAGTT CCCAGCCCAGACCC CFE-1 T (SEQ ID NO: 121) (SEQ ID NO: 122) (SEQ ID NO: 120) CFE-1 GTTACTGGCGTATTGGCGATATG GGCTTTCACCGGCCAGTT TCCCAGCCCAGACC CFE-1 T (SEQ ID NO: 121) (SEQ ID NO: 123) (SEQ ID NO: 120) CFE-1 GTTACTGGCGTATTGGCGATATG GGCTTTCACCGGCCAGTT TCTCCCAGCCCAGA CFE-1 T (SEQ ID NO: 121) (SEQ ID NO: 124) (SEQ ID NO: 120) CFE-1 GTTACTGGCGTATTGGCGATATG GGCTTTCACCGGCCAGTT TCTCCCAGCCCAGAC CFE-1 T (SEQ ID NO: 121) (SEQ ID NO: 125) (SEQ ID NO: 120) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA CCTACTACCGCCA CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 128) (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA CCTACTACCGCCAG AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 129) CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA CCTACTACCGCCAGT CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 130) (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA CCTACTACCGCCAGTG CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 131) (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA CTACTACCGCCAGTG CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 132) (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-1 GAGGAGGTGGATTCATCCGAGA GATGGGAGCCCGGCGAATA TACTACCGCCAGTG CMY-1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19 AG (SEQ ID NO: 127) (SEQ ID NO: 133) (SEQ ID NO: 126) CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA CCRCGTTCAGGAG CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 136) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA CCRCGTTCAGGAGA CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 137) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA CCRCGTTCAGGAGAA CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 138) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA CCAGCCRCGTTCAG CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 139) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA TCCATGTTGGCCT CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 140) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-2 GATATGGCCCGCTGGRTWC CGCAATGCCCTGYTGGA TTCAGGAGAAAACGC CMY-2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12-18, (SEQ ID NO: 134) (SEQ ID NO: 135) (SEQ ID NO: 141) 20-40, 42-46, 49, 53-64, 69, 71, 73, 77, 80, 94, 95, 99, 102, 108, 111 CMY-41 CTGGGTCTGTTTAGTGGCAAA GTCTGTTACCTGTACTTAATG CCCCGCCATACGA CMY-41, 47, 48, 50, 51, (SEQ ID NO: 142) ACTCC (SEQ ID NO: 144) 65-68, 72, 75, 76, 78, 79, (SEQ ID NO: 143) 81, 84, 87, 90, 103, 110 CMY-70 GGGCTCCACTGGCGGATT GCCAGCATCACGATGCCAAG CTACGTTGCTTTCGT CMY-70, 74, 83, 93, 100, (SEQ ID NO: 145) (SEQ ID NO: 146) (SEQ ID NO: 147) 101 CTX-M-1 AGTCTKCCTCCCGACTG GCAAACGGCGGACGTA CGGCAAGTTTTTGC CTX-M-1, 3, 11, 12, 15, (SEQ ID NO: 148) (SEQ ID NO: 44) (SEQ ID NO: 60) 22, 23, 28, 32, 33, 36, 42, 52, 54, 55, 57, 58, 60, 61, 64, 69, 71, 72, 79, 82, 88, 96, 101, 103, 107, 108, 109, 114, 117, 123, 132, 133, 136 CTX-M-2 TTGCGGAGAAACACGTTA GCTATACTGCAGCGCC CCAAGCTCAGCCA CTX-M-2, 5, 20, 31, 43, (SEQ ID NO: 45) (SEQ ID NO: 46) (SEQ ID NO: 61) 44, 56, 59, 76, 77, 92, 95, 97, 131 CTX-M-8/25 CGGYGCTGCCAGCATT CRCCGCTGCCGGTTTTAT CTACCCACATCGTG CTX-8, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, (SEQ ID NO: 149) (SEQ ID NO: 150) (SEQ ID NO: 151) 63, 78, 89, 91, 94, 100 CTX-M-9 TCATGCGCTGGGCGAAA GCTGCGCCGGTCGTAT CACCAACTGCGCC CTX-9, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, (SEQ ID NO: 152) (SEQ ID NO: 153) (SEQ ID NO: 154) 19, 21, 24, 27, 38, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 65, 67, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 93, 98, 99, 104, 106, 110, 111, 112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 129, 130, 134 & 147 DHA-1 TGGCCGCAGCAGAAAGATATG TGGTTGTCTGTTACCGGRTGC CCAACGAGGTCGCA DHA-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (SEQ ID NO: 155) (SEQ ID NO: 156) (SEQ ID NO: 157) FOX-1 AGAGGGATCGCCATCGTCAT GCGTGAGCCGCCTTCA TCCCATCGAGGCCA FOX-1-10 (SEQ ID NO: 158) (SEQ ID NO: 159) (SEQ ID NO: 160) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG CCGCCATAGAGGA GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 163) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG CCGCCATAGAGGAC GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 164) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG TCAGTGCGCCGCC GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 165) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG TCAGTGCGCCGCCA GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 166) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG TCCTCTATGGCGG GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 167) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG TCCTCTATGGCGGC GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 168) GES-1 CCTATTGCTATGGCACGTACTG TGGTGTGGGTCGARGTG TCCTCTATGGCGGCG GES-1-17 (SEQ ID NO: 161) (SEQ ID NO: 162) (SEQ ID NO: 169) GIM-1 GAAGACACGAAGTTGTTATTATCCTG AGAATGAGTTGAGATGCTAGCC CCTGGTATCCCCTG GIM-1 (SEQ ID NO: 170) (SEQ ID NO: 171) (SEQ ID NO: 172) IAC-R GGGGACTAACATAGGCGTAAA GTTGAGATGAGTACGTTATTCAGG TCGCAGCTCGTGCG (SEQ ID NO: 173) (SEQ ID NO: 174) (SEQ ID NO: 175) IMI-1 CAACTMAATCTTAATCAGATCGT GCCATATCACCTAATGACATT TTCACCCATCACAAC IMI-1, 2, 3, 4,7 GAA CCA (SEQ ID NO: 178) (SEQ ID NO: 176) (SEQ ID NO: 177) IMI-1 CAACTMAATCTTAATCAGATCGT GCCATATCACCTAATGACATT TTCACCCATCACAACT IMI-1, 2, 3, 4,7 GAA CCA (SEQ ID NO: 179) (SEQ ID NO: 176) (SEQ ID NO: 177) IMI-1 CAACTMAATCTTAATCAGATCGT GCCATATCACCTAATGACATT TTCCATTCACCCATC IMI-1, 2, 3, 4,7 GAA CCA (SEQ ID NO: 180) (SEQ ID NO: 176) (SEQ ID NO: 177) IMI-1 CAACTMAATCTTAATCAGATCGT GCCATATCACCTAATGACATT TTTAGTTGTGATGGGT IMI-1, 2, 3, 4,7 GAA CCA G (SEQ ID NO: 176) (SEQ ID NO: 177) (SEQ ID NO: 181) IMP-1 GTAGTGGTTTGGYTRCCTGAA CCGTACGGTTTAAYAAARCAA CCGAATAATATTTTCC IMP-1, 3, 4, 6, 10, 25, 26, (SEQ ID NO: 182) CCA TT 30, 34, 38, 40, 42 (SEQ ID NO: 183) (SEQ ID NO: 57) IMP-2 GTAGTGGTTTGGYTRCCTGAA CCGTACGGTTTAAYAAARCAA CCGAATAAAATTTTCT IMP-2, 8, 14, 16, 18, 19, (SEQ ID NO: 182) CCA T 20, 24, 32, 33 (SEQ ID NO: 183) (SEQ ID NO: 58) IMP-5 ACACGGCTTGGTGGTTCTT TCAGTATCTTTAGCCGTAAAT CTGAGGCCTATCTGA IMP-5 (SEQ ID NO: 184) GGAGT (SEQ ID NO: 186) (SEQ ID NO: 185) KPC-1 AGGACTTTGGCGGCTCCAT CTCAGCGCGGTAACTTACAGT TATCCATCGCGTACAC KPC-1 thru KPC-16 (SEQ ID NO: 26) TG (SEQ ID NO: 49) (SEQ ID NO: 27) MR-1 ATGAACGCGCAGGCCATT CGAAGGTAAAGTAGTGTGGCT CCGCCACCGCCAT MIR-1-6 (SEQ ID NO: 187) GAC (SEQ ID NO: 189) (SEQ ID NO: 188) MOX-1 CTGACCGCGACCCTRGGR GCTCGCCTTGTCATCCAGYT CTCCCTTGACCACC MOX-1-4, 8 (SEQ ID NO: 190) (SEQ ID NO: 191) (SEQ ID NO: 192) MOX-5 GTCACTCCCGSCATGCT CAGATCCGCCGARCTGGT CYTACGGCATCAAGA MOX-5, 6, 7 (SEQ ID NO: 193) (SEQ ID NO: 194) (SEQ ID NO: 195) NDM-1 GATCGACGGCACCGACAT CGAGATTGCCGAGCGACTT TCAAGGACAGCAAG NDM-1 thru 9 (SEQ ID NO: 28) (SEQ ID NO: 29) (SEQ ID NO: 50) NMC-A ATTTTAGACTCGATCGTTGGGAG TGCTGCAGGTGTAGATGTGT TTCCAGGCGATGAGC NMC-A T (SEQ ID NO: 197) (SEQ ID NO: 198) (SEQ ID NO: 196) OXA-10 ATCCTGGTGTCGCATGG TTCGTTGTCTATATCCATGTTA CCTCTGTCTCCTTCT OXA-10, 14, 16, 17 (SEQ ID NO: 199) AAGG (SEQ ID NO: 201) (SEQ ID NO: 200) OXA-10 ATCCTGGTGTCGCATGG TTCGTTGTCTATATCCATGTTA CTCAACCCACCCAA OXA-10, 14, 16, 17 (SEQ ID NO: 199) AAGG (SEQ ID NO: 202) (SEQ ID NO: 200) OXA-10 ATCCTGGTGTCGCATGG TTCGTTGTCTATATCCATGTTA CTCAACCCACCCAAC OXA-10, 14, 16, 17 (SEQ ID NO: 199) AAGG (SEQ ID NO: 203) (SEQ ID NO: 200) OXA-10 ATCCTGGTGTCGCATGG TTCGTTGTCTATATCCATGTTA TCTCCTTCTCAACCC OXA-10, 14, 16, 17 (SEQ ID NO: 199) AAGG (SEQ ID NO: 204) (SEQ ID NO: 200) OXA-18 GCCGACCGATCCGACCAT GCGTCAGCTCCTGCGAATAC CTGAAGGATTCCATCG OXA-18 (SEQ ID NO: 205) (SEQ ID NO: 206) (SEQ ID NO: 207) OXA-2 GGCACGATAGTTGTGGCAGAC CGTTTCTTCGATCGCACAGGA TCCGCTTGGCGTTC OXA-2, 15, 32 (SEQ ID NO: 208) T (SEQ ID NO: 210) (SEQ ID NO: 209) OXA-23 GTGCCAGCCTCTACATTT TCATTAATATCCGTTTTCTGGT CCCTGATCGGATTG OXA-23, 49, 73, 146, 165, (SEQ ID NO: 35) TC (SEQ ID NO: 55) 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, (SEQ ID NO: 36) 225, 239 OXA-24 TTAGGTGAGGCAATGGCA TCTAGGCCAGTCCGTCT TCAGCAGTTCCAG OXA-24, 25, 26, 40, 72, (SEQ ID NO: 211) (SEQ ID NO: 212) (SEQ ID NO: 213) 139, 160,207 OXA-45 GCAAGGGTGCCTGTGACAA CCAGCATCGTAGCCCATGAC CCTTCGCGCCAATG OXA-45 (SEQ ID NO: 214) (SEQ ID NO: 215) (SEQ ID NO: 216) OXA-48 AGTTGGAATGCTCACTTTACTGA GGTAAATCCTTGCTGCTTATTC CTACGCCCTGTGATT OXA-48, 162, 163, 181, (SEQ ID NO: 37) TC (SEQ ID NO: 56) 199, 204, 232, 244, 245 and (SEQ ID NO: 38) 247 OXA-50 GCGGAAACCCGCTTCGTT CCCCTGTGGATAAGCCGATCA CCCGCTTCCACCTA OXA-50 (SEQ ID NO: 217) (SEQ ID NO: 218) (SEQ ID NO: 219) OXA-51 ACCCACAAGTAGGCTGGTTA TTTCTAAGTTAAGGGAGAACG TTGAGGCTGAACAA OXA-51, 64, 65, 66, 67, (SEQ ID NO: 33) CTAC (SEQ ID NO: 54) 68, 69, 70, 76, 77, 78, 80, (SEQ ID NO: 34) 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 115, 120, 128, 130, 132, 138, 144, 148, 149, 150, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 194, 195, 196, 197, 201, 202, 206, 208, 216, 217, 219, 223, 242, 248, 249, 254 OXA-54 AGAATTGAGCCTCAGATCGGTTG TCATCGCGAAGAACCACACAT TCGAGTTCAACCCAA OXA-54 (SEQ ID NO: 220) (SEQ ID NO: 221) (SEQ ID NO: 222) OXA-55 CAGCATTTCAACAAGTGGATTTT GCTGCGCTCGGACACA CTTGTTGTCATGCAGT OXA-55 CTAAGG (SEQ ID NO: 224) (SEQ ID NO: 225) (SEQ ID NO: 223) OXA-58 GGCTTTGTAGAGTGCCTCA CTTGGCGTTATTGCTAAAGCT CATGACTCAAATCGC OXA-58 & 97 (SEQ ID NO: 226) (SEQ ID NO: 227) (SEQ ID NO: 228) OXA-60 GAACAGCCTGATCGCCTTCG CCGTAGGGCAGCACTTCCT TCGCGCACGGCCC OXA-60 (SEQ ID NO: 229) (SEQ ID NO: 230) (SEQ ID NO: 231) OXA-62 ATCGGGCGCCGGTACGCGCAG CGCCGCCAATGGTGCGGTTGC CCCGACCTCGTTCA OXA-62 (SEQ ID NO: 232) CATA (SEQ ID NO: 234) (SEQ ID NO: 233) OXA-62 ATCGGGCGCCGGTACGCGCAG CGCCGCCAATGGTGCGGTTGC CCTCGTTCAGCTTCG OXA-62 (SEQ ID NO: 232) CATA (SEQ ID NO: 235) (SEQ ID NO: 233) OXA-62 ATCGGGCGCCGGTACGCGCAG CGCCGCCAATGGTGCGGTTGC CTCGTTCAGCTTCGC OXA-62 (SEQ ID NO: 232) CATA (SEQ ID NO: 236) (SEQ ID NO: 233) PER-1 GGTTGATCAGGGAAAGTTGGA TTATCGGAGCCCAGGTATTCT CCGTTATCGTAAACAG PER-1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (SEQ ID NO: 237) (SEQ ID NO: 238) GGCT (SEQ ID NO: 239) SFC-1 TGCAAACTGGGTGGTTGGA AGGCCAGATCACTGCATAATC CCACAAGTACCCGTT SFC-1 (SEQ ID NO: 240) G (SEQ ID NO: 242) (SEQ ID NO: 241) SHV-G2385/ CCGGCGGGCTGGTTTAT CTGCTTTGTTATTCGGGCCAA TCGCTAGCTCCGG SHV-2, 2A, 3, 20, 21, 30, E240 (SEQ ID NO: 243) (SEQ ID NO: 244) (SEQ ID NO: 245) 34, 39, 106, 141, 152, 153, 162, 163 SHV-G156 (WT) GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC CCAGATCGGCGACA SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 248) 19, 24-28, 32, 33, 35-39, 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96, 98- 101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G156 (WT)  GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TCGCCGATCTGGCG SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 249) 19, 24-28, 32, 33, 35-39, 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96,  98-101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G156 (WT) GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TCGCCGATCTGGCGC SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 250) 19, 24-28, 32, 33, 35-39, 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96,  98-101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G156 (WT) GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TTGTCGCCGATCTGG SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 251) 19, 24-28, 32, 33, 35-39, 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96,  98-101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G156D GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC CCAGATCGACGACA SHV-27, −32, −45, −93,  (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 252) −105, −110, and −177 SHV-G156D GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TCGTCGATCTGGCG SHV-27, −32, −45, −93,  (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 253) −105, −110, and −177 SHV-G156D GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TCGTCGATCTGGCG SHV-27, −32, −45, −93,  (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 253) −105, −110, and −177 SHV-G156D GGCCCCGCAGGATTGA GGTCAAGGCGGGTGAC TTGTCGTCGATCTGG SHV-27, −32, −45, −93,  (SEQ ID NO: 246) (SEQ ID NO: 247) (SEQ ID NO: 254) −105, −110, and −177 SHV-G238/E240 CCGGCGGGCTGGTTTAT CTGCTTTGTTATTCGGGCCAA TCGCCAGCTCCGG SHV-1, 6, 8, 11, 14, 16, 17, (WT) (SEQ ID NO: 243) G (SEQ ID NO: 255) 19, 24-28, 32, 33, 35-39, (SEQ ID NO: 244) 40-44, 47-54, 56-63, 65, 67-85, 87-89, 92-96,  98-101, 103-104, 107-114, 116-119, 121, 122, 125, 127, 130-133, 135-140, 142-151, 155-159, 161, 164, 166-182, 184-188, 190 SHV-G238/E240K  CCGGCGGGCTGGTTTAT CTGCTTTGTTATTCGGGCCAA TTGCCAGCTCCGG SHV-31, 91, 97, 115, 120, (SEQ ID NO: 243) G (SEQ ID NO: 256) 126 (SEQ ID NO: 244) SHV-G238S/ CCGGCGGGCTGGTTTAT CTGCTTTGTTATTCGGGCCAA TTGCTAGCTCCGG SHV-4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, E240K (SEQ ID NO: 243) G (SEQ ID NO: 257) 22, 23, 445, 46, 55, 64, 66, (SEQ ID NO: 244) 90, 105, 123, 124, 128, 129, 134, 154, 160, 165, 183 SIM-1 GGCCTTGGCAATCTAAGTGA TGCGTCTCCGATTTCACTG CCTGGCCAAGCTTC SIM-1 (SEQ ID NO: 258) (SEQ ID NO: 259) (SEQ ID NO: 260) SME-1 CGATTTCTTGGCGGTCCT CCTAAACTCATTATCTCCAAT TTTAGTCATCCCCTCA SME-1-5 (SEQ ID NO: 261) AGAACG (SEQ ID NO: 263) (SEQ ID NO: 262) SPM-1 CATCCTGTTCCAGCGGATAATG ACCTCAACCAGCTCATTAGAA CCTTGCCTTGTTTCA SPM-1 (SEQ ID NO: 264) AAC (SEQ ID NO: 266) (SEQ ID NO: 265) TEM-E104 (WT) TGCCATCCGTAAGATGCTT CCGGGCAAGAGCAACT CTTGGTTGAGTACTCA TEM-1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, (SEQ ID NO: 267) (SEQ ID NO: 268) C 19, 20, 25, 27-42, 44, 45, (SEQ ID NO: 269) 47-49, 51, 53-55, 57-59, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68-86, 90, 91, 93 95-105, 108, 110, 112, 114-120, 122, 125- 128, 132, 135-137, 140, 141, 143-148, 150-152, 154-160, 162-166, 168- 176, 178-183, 185-195, 198, 200-204, 206-210, 212-222 TEM-E104K TGCCATCCGTAAGATGCTT CCGGGCAAGAGCAACT CTTGGTTAAGTACTCA TEM-3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 15-18, (SEQ ID NO: 267) (SEQ ID NO: 268) C 21, 22, 24, 26, 43, 46, 50, (SEQ ID NO: 270) 52, 56, 60, 63, 66, 87-89, 92, 94, 106, 107, 109, 111, 113, 121, 123, 124, 129- 131, 133, 134, 138, 139, 142, 149, 153, 161, 167, 177, 184, 197, 199, 205, 211 TEM-G238/E240 CCATCTGGCCCCAGT CGGCTGGCTGGTTTATT CTCACCGGCTCCAGA TEM-1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11-13, (WT) (SEQ ID NO: 271) (SEQ ID NO: 272) (SEQ ID NO: 273) 16-18, 26, 29-41, 43-45, 51, 53-60, 62-65, 67, 69, 70, 73-84, 87, 90, 95-100, 102-106, 108-110, 115- 119, 122, 124-131, 133, 140, 141, 143, 145-148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 156- 166, 168-176, 179-187, 190, 192-196, 198, 200- 206, 208-210, 212-222 TEM-G238/E240K  CCATCTGGCCCCAGT CGGCTGGCTGGTTTATT CTTACCGGCTCCAGA TEM-5, 10, 24, 27, 28, 46, (SEQ ID NO: 271) (SEQ ID NO: 272) (SEQ ID NO: 274) 61, 85, 86, 91, 114, 121, 132, 136, 144, 152, 155, 177, 189, 191 TEM-G238S/E240 CCATCTGGCCCCAGT CGGCTGGCTGGTTTATT CTCACTGGCTCCAGA TEM-3, 4, 8, 15, 19-22, 25, (SEQ ID NO: 271) (SEQ ID NO: 272) (SEQ ID NO: 275) 50, 52, 66, 88, 89, 92, 94, 107, 112, 113, 120, 123, 134, 138, 139, 167, 197, 199, 211 TEM-G238S/E240K  CCATCTGGCCCCAGT CGGCTGGCTGGTTTATT CTTACTGGCTCCAGA TEM-42, 47-49, 68, 71, 72, (SEQ ID NO: 271) (SEQ ID NO: 272) (SEQ ID NO: 276) 93, 101, 188 TEM-R164 (WT)  TTCTGACAACGATCGGAGGAC TCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTC TCCCAACGATCAAGGC TEM-1-4, 13, 15, 18-22, (SEQ ID NO: 277) (SEQ ID NO: 278) (SEQ ID NO: 279) 25, 30-42, 44, 45, 47-52, 54-59, 62, 65-74, 76-84, 88-90, 92-101, 103-106, 108, 110-113, 116, 117, 119, 120, 122-124,126-128, 135, 138-140, 145, 146, 148, 150, 153, 156, 157, 159, 160, 162-164, 166- 176, 178-183, 185, 186, 188-192, 194, 196-204, 206-222 TEM-R164C TTCTGACAACGATCGGAGGAC TCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTC TCCCAACAATSAAGGC TEM-87, 92, 143, 144, 193, (SEQ ID NO: 277) (SEQ ID NO: 278) (SEQ ID NO: 280) 195 TEM-R164H TTCTGACAACGATCGGAGGAC TCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTC TCCCAATGATCAAGGC TEM-6, 11, 16, 27-29, 43, (SEQ ID NO: 277) (SEQ ID NO: 278) (SEQ ID NO: 281) 61, 75, 107, 109, 115, 118, 132, 134, 147, 151, 152, 161, 187 TEM-R1645 TTCTGACAACGATCGGAGGAC TCGTGGTGTCACGCTCGTC TCCCAACTATCAAGGC TEM-5, 7-10, 12, 24, 26, (SEQ ID NO: 277) (SEQ ID NO: 278) (SEQ ID NO: 282) 46, 53, 60, 63, 85, 86, 102, 114, 121, 125, 129-131, 133, 136, 137, 149, 154, 155, 158, 165, 177, 184, 205 TLA-1 CTGTTGTTGCTCATAAAACCGGA CCGATATCATTTGTGGCAGCA CTCCGATACTAACGAT TLA-1 AG GTA (SEQ ID NO: 285) (SEQ ID NO: 283) (SEQ ID NO: 284) VEB-1 GCAATGAGAAGGATACTTTKAA CGGAAATTTCATAACGCTTTG CTTCCATTTCCCGAT VEB-1-9 GATTA C (SEQ ID NO: 288) (SEQ ID NO: 286) (SEQ ID NO: 287) VIM-1 GTGCGCTTCGGTCCAG CAGATTGTCGGTCGAATGC CAGCACCAGGATAG VIM-1, 4, 12, 14, 19, 26, (SEQ ID NO: 30) (SEQ ID NO: 31) (SEQ ID NO: 51) 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 39 VIM-13 TCGCAACGCATACGTTTGATG ATCAAAAGCAACTCATCGCCA CCCGTCCAATGGTC VIM-13 (SEQ ID NO: 289) TC (SEQ ID NO: 291) (SEQ ID NO: 290) VIM-2 GTGCGCTTCGGTCCAG TAAGTTGTCGGTCGAATGC CAGCACCAGGATAG VIM-2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, (SEQ ID NO: 30) (SEQ ID NO: 32) (SEQ ID NO: 51) 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 31, 36 VIM-5 GTGCGCTTCGGTCCAG CAGATTGTCGGTCGAATGC CAGCACCGGGATAG VIM-5, 25, 38 (SEQ ID NO: 30) (SEQ ID NO: 31) (SEQ ID NO: 52) Y = C, T R = G, A S = C, G W = A, T K = G, T M = A, C 

We claim:
 1. A method of screening a patient for multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection comprising: a. isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient; b. amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; c. detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; d. classifying the patient as having a multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection when one or more of the antibiotic resistant genes are identified in the enriched nucleic acid sample; e. providing a contact precautions recommendation for the patient having a multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (b) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact precaution includes one or more of the following: isolating the patient to a quarantine area or ward, providing a private room for said patient, donning personal protective apparel upon entering the patient's room, limiting patient mobility, limiting or restricting access of non-colonized or non-infected patients or medical personnel to the patient, or providing dedicated patient care equipment.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological sample is an anal swab, a rectal swab, a skin swab, nasal swab, wound swab, stool, blood, plasma, serum, urine, sputum, respiratory lavage, cerebrospinal fluid, bacteria culture, bacteria isolate, fungal culture, fungal isolate, virus culture or virus isolate.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said patient is at high risk for having a multi-drug resistant bacteria colonization or infection.
 6. The method of claim 1, further providing a treatment recommendation for said patient wherein a. when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic; b. when CTM-X is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic; or c. when VanA is detected recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin.
 7. The method of claim 2, further providing a treatment recommendation for said patient wherein a. when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, SME, SFC, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic; b. when CTM-X, PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K, is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic; or c. when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination; or d. when VanA is detected recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising testing the biological sample to identify the phenotype of the multi-drug resistant organism.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising culturing the biological sample and confirming drug resistance.
 10. A method of making a treatment recommendation for a subject known to or suspected of being colonized with or having a bacterial infection comprising: a. isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient; b. amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; c. detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; d. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP is detected; e. recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when CTM-X is detected; or f. recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (b) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE wherein g. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when SME, SFC, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected h. recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K is detected; or i. recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected.
 12. A method of making a treatment recommendation for a heathy subject comprising: a. isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient; b. amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; c. detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; d. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, or IMP is detected; e. recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactam antibiotic when CTM-X is detected; or f. recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (b) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE wherein j. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when SME, SFC.IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected k. recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K is detected; or l. recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the biological sample is an anal swab, a rectal swab, a skin swab, nasal swab, wound swab, stool, blood, plasma, serum, urine, sputum, respiratory lavage, cerebrospinal fluid, bacteria culture, bacteria isolate, fungal culture, fungal isolate, virus culture or virus isolate.
 15. A method of identifying the emergence of a multi-drug resistant organism in a population of subjects comprising a. identifying one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA in a plurality of subject samples wherein identification of an antibiotic resistant genes in the plurality of subject samples indicates the emergence of a multi-drug resistant organism in a population.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising identifying one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.
 17. A method of screening a patient for multi-drug resistant bacterial colonization or infection comprising: a. isolating a nucleic acid sample from a biological sample obtained from the patient such that the sample is substantially free of protein, cellular debris and or PCR inhibitors b. identifying one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA in said sample wherein identification of an antibiotic resistant genes indicates the subject is colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacterial organism.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising identifying one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein further comprising a. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, or IMP is detected; b. recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactam antibiotic when CTM-X is detected; or c. recommending that the patient does not receive vancomycin when VanA is detected.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (b) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE wherein m. recommending that the patient does not receive a carbapenem antibiotic when SME, SFC, IMI, NMC, or CcrA is detected n. recommending that the patient does not receive a cephalosporin antibiotic when PER, VEB, GES, BES, SFO, TLA, TEM with amino acid substitutions E104K, R164H, R164S, R164C, G238S or E240K, SHV with amino acid substitutions G156D, G238S or E240K is detected; or o. recommending that the patient does not receive a beta-lactamase inhibitor-beta-lactam combination when ACC, MOX, CMY, CFE, ACT, DHA or FOX is detected.
 21. A kit for determining whether a patient is colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacteria comprising: a. a biological sample collection means; b. one or more primers that specifically hybridize with one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA; c. a control sample; and d. an instruction, wherein said instruction classifies said patient as being colonized or infected with a multi-drug resistant bacteria when one or more of the antibiotic resistant genes are identified in the sample.
 22. The kit of claim 21, further comprising one or more primers that specifically hybridize with one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.
 23. A method for implementation by one or more data processors forming part of at least one computing system comprising: a. receiving, by at least one data processor, data characterizing test results of biological specimens for a patient or group of patients, wherein the test results characterize an outcome of a nucleic acid sample contacted with one or more primers that specifically hybridize with one or more antibiotic resistant genes selected from KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA; and b. generating, using at least one data processor and the received data, a database of test results for the patient or group of patients.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (a) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the database of test results further comprises an Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
 26. The method of claim 23, further comprising aggregating the database of test results with additional individual patient health data, patient group demographic data, healthcare institution demographic data, regional, national, or global geographic healthcare data.
 27. The method of claim 23, further comprising establishing, using the database of test results, colonization or infection rates and trends.
 28. The method of claim 23, further comprising monitoring, using the database of test results, Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) and death rates, CRE infection or death rates, ESBL infection or death rates.
 29. The method of claim 23, further comprising establishing or augmenting, using the database of test results, treatment guidelines and policies, infection control procedures, or healthcare economic and risk management policies.
 30. The method of claim 23, further comprising computing, using the database of test results, baseline MDRO infection rates for a hospital and measuring the rate against a regional or national rate.
 31. The method of claim 23, further comprising augmenting treatment procedures, using the database of test results, to lower patient Length of Stay (LOS) in a healthcare institution, to lower overall costs, to lower patient death rates due to MDRO, to lower CMS penalties for HAIs, and to lower risk of legal settlements due to wrongful death claims.
 32. A surveillance method to establish source of the infection or colonization, comprising: a. extracting a nucleic acid sample from a sample collected from the environment; b. amplifying the antibiotic resistant genes KPC, NDM, OXA, VIM, IMP, CTX-M and VanA by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more amplification primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to provide an enriched nucleic acid sample; c. detecting the presence of the antibiotic gene by contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more detection primers that specifically hybridize with the each of the antibiotic resistant genes to in the enriched nucleic acid sample; d. wherein the presence of the antibiotic gene in the sample indicates the source of the infection or colonization.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the antibiotic resistant genes of step (b) further comprise one or more of IMI, SME, GIM, SPM, NMC, SFC, SHV, TEM, BEL, VEB, GES, PER, SFO, BES, TLA, ACC, CMY, MIR, ACT, DHA, MOX, FOX, or CFE. 